Senegal, Eni Signs Deal To Assess Five Offshore Blocks

Senegal and Italian oil company Eni have signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct preliminary studies and assess the potential of five offshore blocks, the country’s energy minister said on Tuesday.

The agreement forms part of the government’s strategy to resume oil and gas exploration and promote Senegal’s sedimentary basin, according to a statement by Energy Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf.

Under the agreement, Eni will finance a programme of technical studies and analyses to improve understanding of the geological and geophysical characteristics of blocks SN01M, SN02M, SN03M, SN07M and SN40M.

Senegal’s national oil company, Petrosen, will play a central role in developing the country’s sedimentary basin, the statement said.

Diouf said last week that Senegal planned to offer 109 oil and gas blocks to local and foreign investors. Four of the blocks are already under contract, while the remaining blocks will be put on the market, according to the minister.

Senegal announced the discovery of large oil deposits along the Rufisque Offshore Profond area outside Dakar in 2016.

The government has not provided details on the timeline for completing Eni’s preliminary studies or whether the studies will lead to exploration or production activities on the five blocks.

SOURCE: TRTAfrika