Sierra Leone has significantly advanced its upstream energy goals through a new Reconnaissance Permit Agreement with Shell Exploration Company B.V., signed on April 22, 2026, at the Invest in African Energy Forum in Paris.
This partnership, formalized via the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL), grants Shell the rights to conduct extensive geological and geophysical evaluations across 19 offshore blocks. Spanning approximately 20,594 square kilometers, the program focuses on de-risking frontier acreage through advanced subsurface imaging and basin modeling.
The scope of the agreement includes high-level technical studies such as seismic data interpretation, petrophysical analysis, and prospectivity mapping. These efforts are designed to identify structural traps and reservoir fairways, providing a clearer picture of the region’s offshore potential. President Julius Maada Bio hailed the agreement as a “defining moment” for the nation, emphasizing that the partnership with a global major like Shell signals to the international community that Sierra Leone’s energy sector is built on a foundation of transparency and stable governance.
PDSL Director General Foday Mansaray noted that securing Shell as a partner validates the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its regulatory framework and geoscience database. By leveraging Shell’s deepwater expertise, Sierra Leone aims to rigorously assess its basin potential before launching future licensing rounds. As international interest in African frontier basins grows, this data-led strategy positions Sierra Leone as an emerging player in the global energy market, prioritizing credible partnerships to drive upstream growth.
ABJ/APA