Mauritanian News Agency AMI reported that a Texas based, independent oil company, Kosmos Energy, yesterday signed an exploration and production agreement with the representatives of the Energy Ministry of Mauritania.
The agreement will give the U.S. company the right to explore for hydrocarbon reserves in three offshore blocks in Mauritanian waters.
Minister of Energy , Taleb Ould Abdi Vall, said that Mauritania was hoping for quick and positive results of the exploration and he expressed his belief that Kosmos has all the capabilities to achieve success.
A similar deal was also signed yesterday between the Energy Ministry of Mauritania and London-based Chariot Oil & Gas.
Both the companies have working experience in Africa. Kosmos’ asset portfolio includes existing production, major discoveries and exploration prospects offshore Ghana, as well as exploration licenses with significant hydrocarbon potential offshore Morocco and Suriname and onshore Cameroon. Chariot yesterday spudded its first well offshore Namibia on the Tapir South prospect using the Maersk Deliverer semi-submersible drilling rig. Chariot’s plan is to drill 4-5 wells through to end of 2013.
Mauritania, one of the world’s poorest countries, with iron or exports and fish produce representing major contributors to its economy, hopes to take advantage of its offshore reserves of oil and natural gas. The country is one of the newest African oil producers. First Mauritania’s oil started flowing in 2006, from the Chinguetti offshore field. The field, discovered by Australian Woodside in 2001, was later on sold to Malaysian oil and gas giant PETRONAS.
[mappress] Offshore Energy Today Staff, April 6, 2012