The blocks cover an area of approximately 12,700 sq km. (Image source: TotalEnergies)

As a result of the 2024 Direct Negotiation Licensing Round that was organised by the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Agency, TotalEnergies has signed production sharing contracts for four exploration blocks offshore Liberia

The blocks LB-6, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29, covering an area of approximately 12,700 sq km, are located in the south of the Liberia Basin. The company has framed a work programme to delve deeper into the region with a 3D seismic survey.

"TotalEnergies is enthusiastic to be part of the resumption of exploration activities in offshore Liberia," said Kevin McLachlan, senior vice-president for exploration at TotalEnergies. "Entering these blocks aligns with our strategy of diversifying our Exploration portfolio in high-potential new oil-prone basins. These areas hold significant potential for prospects that have the potential for large-scale discoveries that lead to cost-effective, low-emission developments, leveraging the Company’s proven expertise in deepwater operations."

Galp steps into Sao Tome and Principe.

Galp has joined Sao Tome and Príncipe’s Block 4 with the acquisition of a 27.5% stake in line with a farm-in agreement with KE STP Company BV (Shell affiliate)

This development has given way to a joint venture with Shell (30%, Operator), Petrobras (27.5%) and ANP-STP (15%).

This acquisition marks an important expansion for Galp, solidifying the company's prospects with stake on an early-stage exploration block through a limited financial commitment.

Galp currently holds interests in three offshore exploration blocks in the Muni River Basin, located in ultra-deep waters off STP, where it has been present since 2015. Galp is the operator of Block 6, where it holds a 45% interest alongside Shell (45%) and the national oil company ANP-STP (10%).

In 2022, Galp drilled São Tomé’s first offshore exploration well, Jaca-1. While no commercially viable accumulations were discovered, Jaca-1 revealed the presence of an active petroleum system that was thoroughly sampled and studied.

In addition to Block 6, Galp also holds a 41,2% operating position in Block 12, in partnership with Equator and ANP-STP, and a 20%-stake in Block 11, operated by Shell, with Petrobras and ANP-STP as partners.

Over the years, Galp and its partners have carried out extensive seismic campaigns and geological studies across these blocks to evaluate the region’s hydrocarbon potential. While exploration remains at an early stage, Galp’s entry in Block 4 demonstrates its long-term commitment towards the development of the country’s offshore resources.

The MoU outlines the areas of common interest between partners. (Image source: SONATRACH)

With an aim to mutually explore oil and gas opportunities in Kenya, SONATRACH and National Oil Company of Kenya have signed a Memorandum of Understanding as part of the Intra African Trade Fair 2025

The MoU outlines the areas of common interest benefiting from SONATRACH’s expertise at the service of the Kenyan party in promoting its oil sector. It deals in particular with cooperation in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities as well as the opportunity to supply Kenya notably with LPG and oil products, as well as the feasibility of developing a commercial LPG oil products, lubricants and petrochemicals.

Furthermore, the memorandum of understanding provides for examining the feasibility of developing LPG distribution mechanisms as a fuel for motor vehicles and households. Furthermore, this memorandum aims to strengthen the professional skills of employees of the National Petroleum Corporation of Kenya through training provided by SONATRACH.

This memorandum of understanding is concluded as part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the Algerian and Kenyan governments aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in the oil, gas, and energy sectors. It represents a qualitative milestone in the bilateral energy cooperation process. It reflects SONATRACH‘s ambition to expand its activities at the continental scale and assert its role as a major player in the energy sector.

The MoU was signed during the visit of Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and others. (Image source: bp)

bp has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate opportunities for a five-well programme at water depth ranging from 300 to 1,500 meters in the Mediterranean Sea 

This will help plan the development of national gas reserves to optimise existing production facilities in the West Nile Delta. As the company aims to begin drilling operations in 2026, there are plans to explore the possibility of tie-back options after considering resource potential. 

The MoU was signed during the visit of Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources; Ashraf Swelam, Egypt’s Ambassador to the UK, and Samir Raslan, Undersecretary for Exploration and Agreements at the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, to bp’s headquarters in London.

The delegation met with Murray Auchincloss, bp’s chief executive officer; William Lin, executive vice president for gas and low carbon energy; Nader Zaki, regional president, Middle East and North Africa; and Wail Shaheen, president of bp Egypt.

“Today’s announcement reaffirms our commitment to supporting investment in Egypt’s gas sector.  We appreciate the continued engagement and support from HE Minister Karim Badawi.  We look forward to applying bp’s technological expertise to build on our recent exploration and development momentum to bring on new gas resources and accelerated production for the country as well as deliver value for our business,” said Lin.

Zaki added,“We are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Egyptian government. This memorandum represents a strategic step in our investments in Egypt’s energy sector during this decade, enabling us to develop additional gas resources in the West Nile Delta and bring them onstream as quickly as possible to meet the needs of the local market.”

The agreement comes as bp plans to increase production to 2.3-2.5 million barrels of oil equivalent a day in 2030 with the capacity to increase production out to 2035. It follows a successful exploration campaign in the first half of 2025 in which bp has made 10 discoveries including two in Egypt, where it completed drilling activity at the Fayoum-5 gas discovery well and El King-2 exploration well, both part of the West Nile Delta development.