Senegal and Eni have signed a memorandum of understanding to carry out preliminary studies on five offshore oil and gas blocks.
According to Reuters, the agreement covers blocks SN01M, SN02M, SN03M, SN07M and SN40M and forms part of Senegal’s effort to revive upstream exploration and promote its sedimentary basin.
Senegalese public broadcaster RTS reported that Eni will fully fund the technical programme. The work will include analysis of 2D and 3D seismic data, available well data and the hydrocarbon potential of the five blocks. Technical exchanges, workshops and knowledge-transfer activities are also planned.
PETROSEN will participate as a technical partner. According to RTS, the national oil company is expected to play a central role in improving knowledge of, promoting and developing Senegal’s sedimentary basin.
The MoU does not award Eni exploration or production rights. RTS said it is not a petroleum contract and gives Eni no automatic right to a future contract. Any further step would still be subject to Senegal’s legal procedures and approvals.
The agreement follows comments from Energy Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf that Senegal plans to market 109 oil and gas blocks to local and international investors. Reuters reported that Diouf said four of the country’s 113 blocks are currently under contract.