TotalEnergies has been awarded four offshore oil and gas exploration permits in Liberia, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to revive its energy sector. The Liberian Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA) confirmed the development on Wednesday, highlighting that the French energy giant will operate the blocks under production-sharing agreements designed to boost foreign investment.
Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Gesler E. Murray, said during a press briefing in Monrovia that the agreement represents a milestone for the country. “This signals investor confidence in Liberia’s upstream potential and opens opportunities for job creation, skills transfer, and revenue growth,” Murray noted in comments carried by FrontPage Africa.
The permits cover acreage in the deepwater basin off Liberia’s Atlantic coast, an area believed to hold untapped hydrocarbon reserves. TotalEnergies, which already has a strong presence in West Africa through operations in Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, said the move aligns with its strategy of expanding its African exploration portfolio.
Industry analysts cited by Reuters said Liberia has faced challenges in attracting major oil companies due to past political instability and limited infrastructure, but recent reforms in the petroleum sector have improved transparency and investor protections. The awarding of these permits to a global player like TotalEnergies is seen as a potential catalyst for future exploration activity in the region.
Energy experts interviewed by Bloomberg added that while commercial discoveries are yet to be proven, the entry of TotalEnergies significantly raises Liberia’s profile in the global oil and gas market.
