Mozambique has invited operator-led groups to start negotiations for six contracts as a result of the fifth licensing round for exploration and production concessions.
The Institute of National Petroleum of Mozambique (INP) said it received bids from potential operators for eight of 15 offshore and onshore areas offered in the round.
Bids were evaluated based on health, safety, and environmental criteria, financial strength, technical competence, and economic terms offered to Mozambique. A unit of ExxonMobil Corp. is operator for three of the six selected blocks.
Offshore:
• Angoche Area A5-A, Eni Mozambico SPA.
• Angoche Area A5-B, Zambezi Area Z5-C, and Zambezi Area Z5-D, ExxonMobil E&P Mozambique Offshore Ltd. (OGJ Online, July 30, 2015).
Onshore:
• Pande/Temane Area PT5-C, Sasol Petroleum Mozambique Exploration Ltd.
• Palmeira Area P5-A, Delonex Energy Ltd.
INP said it expects the first 4-year period of exploration to result in a minimum of 10 wells (8 in deepwater), the acquisition of more than 3,000 km of 2D seismic, the acquisition of more than 18,400 sq km of 3D seismic, 10,000 sq km of full tensor gravity, high-resolution magnetic programs, and other geotechnical studies.
