A senior government official announced on Thursday, June 26, 2025, that Sierra Leone is awaiting results from its first offshore 3D seismic survey in over a decade, a critical step towards launching a potential oil and gas licensing round in October 2025.
The survey aims to unlock the country’s vast offshore energy potential, positioning Sierra Leone as an emerging exploration frontier in West Africa.
Seismic Survey to De-Risk Exploration
Launched in May 2025, the six-week 3D seismic survey is a collaboration between the Sierra Leone Petroleum Directorate and consultancy GeoPartners.
Covering 7,500 km² of 3D data and 16,000-line km of 2D pre-stack depth migrated data, the survey is being reprocessed by multi-client partner TGS.
“We are hoping to get something to push to the market in October,” said Foday Mansaray, Director General of the Petroleum Directorate, indicating plans for a sixth licensing round that could offer up to 60 offshore blocks.
Untapped Offshore Reserves
Sierra Leone’s offshore basin is estimated to hold 30 billion barrels of oil equivalent recoverable, including the Vega prospect, previously identified by Anadarko Petroleum, with approximately 3 billion barrels recoverable.
Although past discoveries by Anadarko and Russia’s Lukoil were not commercially viable, recent interest from major oil companies—Shell, Petrobras, Hess, and Murphy Oil, which purchased licensed data over the past 18 months—signals growing confidence in the region’s potential.
Strategic Positioning and Challenges
Located between oil-producing nations Ivory Coast and Senegal, Sierra Leone aims to replicate the exploration success of Namibia and Guyana, where persistent efforts led to significant discoveries.
However, the upcoming licensing round is unlikely to include ultra-deep areas, which are typically reserved for direct negotiations.
Challenges such as limited infrastructure and regulatory frameworks persist, but Mansaray remains optimistic, stating,
“I firmly believe that Sierra Leone is on the cusp of something big and we are going to be one of the next big and successful stories.”
Path to a Licensing Round
The seismic survey results, expected by October 2025, will determine whether Sierra Leone proceeds with its sixth oil and gas auction, following the previous round in 2023.
The government’s focus on de-risking exploration and attracting global investment, underscores its ambition to transform Sierra Leone into a key player in West Africa’s energy sector.
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