Senegal: Eni to finance assessment of five offshore oil blocks

On Tuesday, September 15, Senegal and the Italian energy group Eni signed a memorandum of understanding to assess the oil and gas potential of five offshore blocks. Eni will finance and conduct the technical, geological, and geophysical studies outlined in the agreement, with PETROSEN serving as the technical partner.

The areas involved are blocks SN01M, SN02M, SN03M, SN07M, and SN40M. The work will notably utilize 2D and 3D seismic data as well as available well data to enhance understanding of the subsurface and identify the most promising sectors.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Gastech 2026 and is part of Dakar’s strategy to revitalize exploration and better promote its sedimentary basin to investors. Senegal is already producing oil at the Sangomar field and liquefied natural gas as part of the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim project shared with Mauritania.

The national company PETROSEN is expected to participate in technical exchanges, specialized workshops, and knowledge transfer during the assessment phase. The Senegalese Ministry of Energy and Petroleum presents PETROSEN Exploration & Production as the public instrument responsible for promoting, exploring, and developing the country’s hydrocarbon resources.

However, the memorandum does not constitute a petroleum contract or the granting of an exploration or production title. It also does not grant Eni an automatic right to a future contract, with any subsequent steps remaining subject to the procedures and approvals required by Senegalese regulations.