Sierra Leone Courts Global Investors for Offshore Blocks at Paris Energy Forum
Sierra Leone's petroleum regulator hosts a targeted roundtable at IAE 2026 in Paris to draw capital into its offshore blocks as the country prepares its sixth licensing round.
| Countries | Sierra Leone, France, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Companies | Eni, GeoPartners, F.A. Oil Limited |
| Sector | Pétrole, Exploration production |
| Theme | Développement de projets, Tenders |
The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) will host a dedicated roundtable at the Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2026 forum in Paris. The event highlights growing interest in African frontier markets as investors scan upstream opportunities in a context where crude prices have rebounded to $100 per barrel. The PDSL aims to connect its emerging offshore prospects with established operators and project developers as part of a broader effort to attract international capital.
Offshore Potential Estimated in the Tens of Billions of Barrels
Sierra Leone is positioning itself as a frontier oil and gas market with significant offshore potential. According to recent data, the country holds estimated recoverable resources in the tens of billions of barrels, supported by discoveries and extensive multi-client seismic datasets. The PDSL is actively promoting licensing opportunities and drilling plans, emphasizing fiscal terms and exploration readiness to attract strategic partners. The anticipated sixth licensing round is expected to offer early entry into largely untapped deepwater terrain.
This month, GeoPartners announced the completion of Pre-Stack Time Migration data from its recently acquired 3D multi-client seismic survey. The dataset is now available for licensing and provides a 3D window into the hydrocarbon potential of the underexplored northern Sierra Leone region. Backed by fresh 3D data, the upcoming licensing round aims to de-risk exploration and support new drilling campaigns.
Eni and F.A. Oil Limited Positioned on Offshore Blocks
In 2025, Eni signed a Reconnaissance Permit Agreement with the PDSL, securing rights to conduct reconnaissance and technical evaluation activities across offshore blocks G113, G129, G130, G131 and G132. The acreage covers 6,790 square kilometers within Sierra Leone's territorial waters. Nigeria's F.A. Oil Limited is advancing drilling plans following the award of six offshore blocks during the fifth licensing round in 2023. The company is seeking a farm-in partner to advance from exploration to production, offering a 40% stake in each of G Blocks 53, 54, 55, 71, 72 and 73.
Discussions at the IAE 2026 roundtable are expected to cover mechanisms for de-risking exploration activity, optimizing fiscal and contractual frameworks, and identifying synergies between hydrocarbon investment and renewable energy commitments. For investors seeking differentiated exposure to African energy markets, the forum offers direct access to a pipeline of frontier projects. In a market where oil market dynamics are evolving rapidly, African upstream markets remain a focus for both integrated companies and independent operators.
