Summary:

On 4 November 2026, Mauritania’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum signed exploration and production contracts with US-based Murphy Oil covering offshore blocks C10 and Tiof in the coastal basin. 

The agreements mark a resumption of offshore exploration, with Murphy assuming the exploration costs and risks under production-sharing arrangements. The signing follows a procedure initiated under the previous energy minister, Mohamed Ould Khaled, who was not retained in the new government formed after the resignation of the previous cabinet. The contracts’ financial terms, work commitments and duration have not been disclosed. 

Outlook: 

The agreements signal renewed interest in Mauritania’s offshore potential as the country seeks to attract investment beyond the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas project. Murphy’s entry could bring fresh exploration activity to a coastal basin where previous operators, including Shell and QatarEnergy, have held interests. 

However, the commercial significance of the agreements will depend on Murphy’s exploration commitments and drilling results. The lack of disclosed financial terms and work programs makes it difficult to assess the scale of the investment, while the recent ministerial reshuffle adds a further element of uncertainty over the continuity of the sector’s investment agenda. 

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