QatarEnergy to explore for hydrocarbons in Mauritania, in partnership with the company “Shell”
QatarEnergy, the Qatari energy company, said it had acquired 40% of Block C10, located in the Mauritanian coastal basin, held by the company “Shell”.
This agreement was signed about a month ago between the two parties, pending official approval by the Mauritanian government in the coming weeks.
According to the agreement, Qatar Energy Company now holds 40% of Block C10, while Shell, which is supervising the work, holds 50% and the Mauritanian Hydrocarbons Company SMH holds 10%.
Shell, which began exploring in the Mauritanian coastal basin during 2018, had obtained indications of significant potential hydrocarbon reserves in the area. It is expected to commence drilling operations in Block C10 during the current year.
Block C10, located 50 kilometres off the coast of Mauritania, covers an area of approximately 11,500 square kilometres, in a depth range of 50 to 2,000 metres.
It should be noted that the company “Shell” entered the Mauritanian market during 2018, signing an agreement for exploration in blocks C10 and C19. It then abandoned Block 19 and signed a new agreement this year with the Mauritanian government to obtain an exploration licence in Block C02, adjacent to Block C10.
