Exxon Secures Mauritanian Deepwater Blocks

ExxonMobil announced December 4 it has signed production sharing contracts with Mauritania for three deepwater offshore blocks -- Blocks C22, C17 and C14 – some 200km offshore.

Together they measure nearly 8.4 million acres in water depths ranging from 1,000 meters to more than 3,500 meters. "These blocks further enhance ExxonMobil’s leading global deepwater acreage position," said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.

Following government approval of the contracts, ExxonMobil will begin exploration activities, including acquisition of seismic data. It operate the blocks with 90% interest, while state upstream SMHPM (Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier) will hold 10%.

Mauritania state news agency AIM said the blocks were awarded the previous morning, December 3, in a ceremony attended by petroleum minister Mohamed Ould Abdelvettah, Exxon's Greenlee, and the head of SMHPM.

In the past year Total has increased its acreage offshore Mauritania, while BP partnering US operator Kosmos and separately Woodside partnering UK operator Cairn have made multiple gas and oil finds there offshore.