CÔTE D’IVOIRE:  Petrobras Granted Greenlight to Begin Contract Negotiations For Nine Offshore Blocks 

Brazilian national oil company Petrobras has received the green light to begin contract negotiations for nine offshore blocks in Côte d’Ivoire. The targeted blocks—CI 513, CI 600, CI 601, CI 602, CI 603, CI 605, CI 700, CI 701, and CI 702—are located primarily in the deep and ultra-deep waters off the country’s western coast.

This region remains largely under-explored, and Petrobras’ potential entry would mark a significant boost for Côte d’Ivoire’s upstream sector, bringing in a world-class deepwater operator.

Petrobras has been actively assessing opportunities across West Africa as part of its strategy to diversify and strengthen its exploration portfolio. The company has recently engaged in talks with Nigeria and Angola, and is reportedly eyeing a stake in Galp’s Mopane discovery in Namibia’s Orange Basin. In October 2024, Petrobras farmed into Block 343ER (Deep Western Orange Basin) in South Africa, operated by TotalEnergies, with a well expected by late 2025 or early 2026.

Additionally, Petrobras expanded its footprint in São Tomé and Príncipe in late 2023 by securing interests in three offshore blocks. Shell, the operator, is expected to drill the Falcao well before year-end. These moves underscore Petrobras’ growing presence in Africa’s offshore oil and gas landscape.