The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone, in partnership with GeoPartners and Getech, have announced the re-opening of the 4th licensing round as of 21 May 2019. This includes a direct tender for licensing applications where 50% or more of the area is in water depths in excess of 2500m (deadline 20 September 2019) and an open tender for other licence applications (deadline 22nd November 2019).
8 wells have been drilled offshore Sierra Leone since 1982, with oil shows in 1982 and 1985. No further drilling was done until 2009 and the following 3 wells in 2009, 2010 and 2012 produced discoveries for Anadarko, with a further discovery by Lukoil in 2013.
The 4th licensing round represents an opportunity for investors to look again at this under-explored region, where blocks are available from near-shore to ultra-deep waters.
There will be a promotional roadshow at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London, on 7 June 2019 at 9:00am. The presentations will provide an opportunity to review and discuss the exploration opportunities, the contractual and fiscal terms, and the legal framework for upstream petroleum activities in Sierra Leone.