DAKAR, Sept 15 – Senegal has signed a memorandum of understanding with Italian energy company Eni to assess the oil and gas potential of five offshore blocks, marking another step in Dakar’s effort to revive exploration across its sedimentary basin.
Under the agreement, Eni will carry out preliminary technical studies and analyses covering blocks SN01M, SN02M, SN03M, SN07M and SN40M.
The work will be financed entirely by Eni and is intended to strengthen the geological and geophysical understanding of the five offshore areas before potential exploration activities move forward.
Senegal’s Energy Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf said the agreement forms part of the government’s strategy to resume oil and gas exploration and promote the country’s sedimentary basin to investors.
Petrosen to Play Central Role
Senegal’s national oil company, Petrosen, will have a central role in the development of the country’s sedimentary basin as the government seeks to expand exploration activity and attract additional international energy companies.
The Eni agreement comes as Dakar prepares a broader offering of exploration opportunities to the market.
Diouf said last week that Senegal plans to offer 109 oil and gas blocks to domestic and international investors, significantly widening the areas available for exploration.
The move signals a renewed push to bring additional capital and technical expertise into Senegal’s upstream sector as the country seeks to develop its hydrocarbon resources and strengthen the investment potential of its offshore basin.
