Hydrocarbons Exploration: Cameroon Partners With American Firm

T he State of Cameroon has officially gone into partner­ ship with an American firm, Murphy Oil Corporation, for the exploration of hydrocarbons re­ sources in the Douala/Kribi-Campo oil and gas fields. Cameroon, repre­ sented by the Ministry for Mines, Industries and Technological Deve­ lopment and the National Hydro­ carbons Corporation (SNH) yesterday November 11, 2026 signed four production-sharing contracts with Murphy Oil Corporation at the SNH headquarters in Yaounde. It is for hydrocarbons exploration and ex­ ploitation in the Etinde Exploration, Tilapia, Elombo and Ntem Blocks. The four blocks are located offshore in the Douala/Kribi-Campo Basin and cover a total surface area of 10.578,13 square km. It emerged from the colourful cere­ mony chaired by the Acting Minister of Mines, Industries and Technolo­ gical Development, Prof. Fuh Calistus Gentry, that Murphy Oil Corporation undertakes, as per the terms of the contract, to execute a minimum ex­ ploration work programme over a maximum period of seven years. Details show that the initial period of the said programme, lasting three years, will be devoted to reproces­ sing available seismic data and conducting geological and geogra­ phical studies. The initial period will be followed by two optional two- year extension periods, each inclu­ ding the drilling of an exploration well for each contract. The total in­ vestment committed for the work programme, including optional ex­ tension periods, is estimated at 200 million US dollars (about FCFA 112 billion). The four blocks reportedly hold an estimated 7.3 to 7.8 billion barrels of oil and more than 6.4 tril­ lion cubic feet of gas. Huge potential reserves whose optimal develop­ ment can change much. Rejoicing over the fruition of the what she termed steadfast nego­ tiations between the two parties, the representative of the Executive General Manager of SNH, Mme Na­ thalie Moudiki, also Adviser N° 2, saluted all the stakeholders for the backstage work that spanned months. She noted that SNH remains committed to uncovering and de­ veloping the country’s rich hydro­ carbons resources so as to mate­ rialise the Head of State’s vision of ensuring energy sovereignty. Mrs Moudiki promised SNH’s unwavering support to American firm for suc­ cess. On his part, Murphy Oil Corporation’s Vice-President for Business Deve­ lopment, Simon Payne, thanked Ca­ me...