Mozambique's 5th hydrocarbon licensing round draws to a close

Mozambique's fifth licensing round was opened in Maputo and London on 23 October 2014 with an initial cut-off date of 20 January 2015. After potential bidders requested an extension of the original deadline, it was extended to 30 April 2015. However, during the course of April, the Institute of National Petroleum (INP) again extended the bid submission date to 30 July 2015.

This licensing round comprises of 15 blocks and approximately 76,800 square kilometres offshore Rovuma, Zambezi and Angoche, and onshore the Panel-Temane concession and Palmeira areas.

With the deadline for submission at a close, the INP has indicated that bids will be evaluated over a three month period and their findings will be announced shortly thereafter. According to the INP, the round is a competitive process and bids will be evaluated on defined criteria such as HSE, financial strength, technical competence and ability, and the economic terms offered to the Mozambique.

The INP has reported that it has received the following applications for this licensing round:

Operator applications

• Shoreline Canoverseas Petroleum Development Ltd.
  Partner – Bluegreen Investments LLC
  Partner – Indico Dourado Lda

• Sasol Petroleum Mozambique Exploration Ltd
• eni Mozambico S.p.A
  Partner – Petroleum Mozambique Exploration Ltd
  Partner – Statiol holding Netherlands B.V.

• Troisade Energia Mozambique S.A
• ExxonMobil Exploration & Production Mozambique Offshore Ltd.
  Partner – RN-Exploration LLC (Rosnet)

• Total E&P Mozambique B.V
  Partner – Sonangol Hidrocarbonetos Internacional

• Delonex Energy Ltd
  Partner – Indian Oil Corporation

Non-Operator Applications

• Namoza Natural Resources Lda
• Petroinveste Mozambique S.A

Applications received for other areas

• eni Mozambico S.p.A
• Delonex Energy Ltd.

Note: Empersa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos de Mocambique (ENH) will have a minimum of 10% interest in all fifth round licenses.

We wish all bidders well in this highly competitive jurisdiction.