TotalEnergies Secures Four Offshore Blocks in Liberia’s Historic Return to Oil Exploration
French energy giant TotalEnergies has signed Production Sharing Contracts for four major offshore exploration blocks in Liberia, marking the country’s dramatic return to petroleum exploration after a decade-long hiatus. The landmark deal covers blocks LB-6, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29, spanning approximately 12,700 square kilometers in the southern Liberia Basin.
The agreement represents a historic turning point for Liberia’s oil and gas sector, ending years of regulatory uncertainty and positioning the West African nation to re-enter the global petroleum market. Director-General Marilyn T. Logan of the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority hailed the contracts as a testament to the government’s commitment to transparency and international best practices under President Joseph Boakai’s leadership.
“This agreement is a testament to the Government’s commitment to conduct our petroleum sector with ethics, transparency, and international best practices,” Logan emphasized. “We are proud that Liberia has attracted a world-class operator like TotalEnergies, which brings unmatched deepwater expertise, strong financial capacity, and a proven track record of responsible operations.”
President Boakai, who endorsed the deal, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment. “In 2024, I invited world-class energy companies to Liberia and pledged that under my leadership, the country would provide an environment where investment flourishes—anchored in ethics, the rule of law, international best practices, and strict enforcement of contracts,” the President stated.
Kevin McLachlan, Senior Vice-President Exploration at TotalEnergies, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s entry into Liberian waters. “Entering these blocks aligns with our strategy of diversifying our exploration portfolio in high-potential new oil-prone basins. These areas hold significant potential for prospects that could lead to large-scale discoveries and cost-effective, low-emission developments.”
The work program includes acquiring one firm 3D seismic survey, with exploration activities to be carried out according to global standards of safety, environmental protection, and local content promotion. The contracts now await National Legislature ratification as part of Liberia’s transparent governance process.
Sources: worldoil.com, liberianobserver.com, energy-pedia.com
