New oil-rich West African country set to put 109 oil and gas blocks up for grabs as it seeks billions in new investment

Energy and Petroleum Minister El Hadji Abdourahmane Diouf said Senegal has 113 oil and gas blocks, but only four are currently under contract.

“The remaining 109 will be put on the market,” Diouf told a local television channel.

He said President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration wants to use the country’s oil and gas resources to create domestic companies capable of becoming major players in the sector.

“The president’s plan is to create local leaders in the energy, oil and gas sectors,” Diouf said.

The licensing drive comes as Senegal expands its petroleum industry following major offshore discoveries, while reviewing existing licences to ensure companies holding blocks meet investment commitments.

Senegal’s oil industry gained momentum after the discovery of the Sangomar field, formerly known as the SNE field, in 2014. The discovery by Cairn Energy and its partners marked a turning point for the country’s petroleum ambitions.

A decade later, Senegal entered commercial oil production after Woodside Energy started output from the Sangomar project in June 2024, making it the country’s first major oil-producing field.

The government has also moved to reclaim some exploration rights from companies that have not met required obligations.

Among the licences reviewed was the Cayar Offshore Shallow block, previously held by Nigeria’s Atlas Oranto Petroleum.

Senegal revoked the licence after authorities said the company failed to meet financial and exploration commitments.

While still in its early stages, Senegal’s petroleum sector has attracted major international energy companies, including Australia’s Woodside Energy, BP, Kosmos Energy and TotalEnergies.

Woodside operates the Sangomar oil field, which started production in 2024. The offshore project has a production capacity of about 100,000 barrels per day and marked Senegal’s entry into commercial oil production.

“First oil from the Sangomar field marks a new era not only for our country’s industry and economy, but most importantly for our people,” Petrosen General Manager Thierno Ly said.

Senegal’s gas industry is also expanding through the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project, located offshore between Senegal and Mauritania.

The project, operated by BP with partners including Kosmos Energy and Petrosen, exported its first LNG cargo in 2025. The first phase is expected to produce about 2.3 million tonnes of LNG annually.

Kosmos Energy has also been involved in Senegal’s Yakaar-Teranga gas discovery, while TotalEnergies has explored deep offshore opportunities in the country.