Morocco funds expert mission to revive offshore exploration

Following the withdrawal of two British companies, Morocco launches a MAD2.5mn ($270,000) expert mission to boost the appeal of its offshore oil and gas sector.

Partagez:

Morocco’s offshore exploration sector suffered a setback in May 2025 with the successive withdrawal of two British operators, Genel Energy and Energean. These exits weakened the appeal of the country’s coastal mining domain, prompting authorities to reconsider their public investment strategy in hydrocarbons.

An initiative led by ONHYM

The Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) has launched an expert mission to reassess national methods for oil and gas exploration. This programme, with a budget of MAD2.5mn ($270,000), will review previous projects and identify high-potential zones.

The goal is to enhance the technical capacity of geoscientific teams and better target future exploration campaigns. ONHYM aims to reinforce assessment tools and seismic data management to improve the quality of information available to investors.

Alignment with international standards

The mission also includes harmonising national practices with international standards for offshore exploration. This approach is intended to strengthen the credibility of Morocco’s energy sector and provide a clearer framework for interested operators.

In parallel, authorities are pursuing the development of strategic infrastructure projects, such as the Atlantic Africa Gas Pipeline, to secure natural gas supply. Natural gas is considered a strategic lever to support the energy transition while ensuring grid stability.

Maintaining a diversified energy strategy

Despite its renewable energy targets, Morocco continues to invest in upstream oil and gas. Public policy favours an integrated approach that combines fossil and renewable energy sources to reduce imports and secure domestic supply.

According to Le Matin on May 31, an ONHYM representative stated that this mission forms part of “a proactive effort to strengthen the visibility and competitiveness of the national mining domain.” This signal to the market confirms the intention to maintain investment momentum in hydrocarbons despite the withdrawal of some partners.

Donald Trump announced that the United States will no longer oppose Chinese purchases of Iranian oil, immediately triggering a drop in global crude oil prices and profoundly reshaping international energy trade partnerships.
Research firm S&P Global Commodity Insights lifts its outlook for the fourth straight year, betting on three point five mn barrels per day from 2025 despite lower prices.
Enbridge plans to expand its infrastructure to increase oil transportation from the American Midwest to the Gulf Coast, anticipating rising exports and addressing current market logistical constraints.
US commercial crude inventories significantly decline by 3.1 million barrels, widely surpassing initial forecasts and immediately pushing international oil prices higher.
The UK could have hydrocarbon reserves twice as large as current official estimates, according to Offshore Energies UK, highlighting the impact of fiscal policies on forecasts and the economic future of the North Sea.
Following US strikes in Iran, international energy companies partially evacuate their teams from Iraq as a precaution, while Lukoil maintains its entire personnel on southern oilfields.
Chinese independent refineries remain cautious amid rising Iranian crude prices driven by escalating Iran-Israel tensions, potentially threatening access to the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Gazprom, affected by a historic $6.9bn loss in 2023, is offering Pakistani state-owned firm OGDCL its petroleum assets in Nigeria to strengthen its presence in Asia’s energy market, according to Pakistani sources.
Donald Trump urges control of oil prices following U.S. military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, amid escalating tensions around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, threatening to significantly impact global markets.
PermRock Royalty Trust announces a monthly distribution of $539,693 to unit holders, impacted by reduced oil volumes and prices in April, partly offset by increased natural gas sales.
Permian Basin Royalty Trust announces a reduced distribution for June due to ongoing excess costs at Waddell Ranch properties and lower volumes from Texas Royalty Properties.
Three months after starting production, Norway’s Johan Castberg oil field, located in the Barents Sea, reaches its full capacity of 220,000 barrels per day, significantly increasing energy supplies to Europe.
The Middle East conflict forces Iraq to delay certain oil developments, disrupting field operations despite temporary stability in production and exports amid growing logistical tensions.
New U.S. estimates reveal nearly 29 billion barrels of oil and 392 Tcf of technically recoverable natural gas on federal lands, marking significant progress since the last assessment in 1998.
The United Kingdom tightens sanctions against Russia's oil sector by targeting twenty tankers operating in the "shadow fleet" and Rosneft Marine, amid rising crude prices exceeding the G7-imposed price cap.
French manufacturer Vallourec will supply Qatar with premium OCTG tubes in a contract worth an estimated $50 million, supporting the planned expansion of oil and gas operations by 2030.
Long a major player in OPEC, Iran sees its influence on the oil market significantly reduced due to US sanctions, Israeli strikes, and increasing reliance on exports to China.
After several months of interruption following a major political upheaval, Syria's Banias refinery has shipped its first cargo of refined products abroad, marking a partial revival of its energy sector.
ExxonMobil and its partners have extended the production sharing contract for Block 17 in Angola, securing the continued operation of major infrastructure in a key offshore asset for Africa’s oil sector.
Egypt’s General Petroleum Company discovers a new oil field in Abu Sannan, producing 1,400 barrels per day, confirming growing interest in this mature Western Desert region.