The Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (Ministry) this week announced the launch of the 2022 Licensing Round for Block A1.

Prospective bidders are invited to download the Request for Proposal (RFP) which has been published on the Ministry's website. 

To be eligible to participate in the RFP, Bidders are required to register their interest with the Petroleum Commission by sending a completed Form A - Registration Letter (set out in Annex 2 of the RFP and published on the Ministry's website) to GambiaLR@aglaw.com, and the Director General jrosemax@gmail.com, at least 6 weeks prior to the Proposal Deadline.

The Commission has prepared an online data room, the E-Bid Platform, where Bidders may download the RFP, relevant legislation, the Model PEPLA, as well as various other documents that may assist in the preparation of their Proposal.

Once the Bidder has registered its interest with the Commission using Form A – Registration Letter (Annex 2 of the RFP), the Bidder will receive an automatically generated email with instructions on how to access the E-Bid Platform, including how to set up a user name and password.

Note that registering as a Bidder and obtaining access to the E-Bid Platform, does not bind the entity to participate in the Licensing Round.

The proposal deadline is the 6 June 2022, with electronic submission through the E-Bid Platform.

Granted initially to BP in 2019, Block A1 became available in August 2021 after the company exited the block. This was part of BP's company strategy to pivot from producing resources to integrating energy. During its time as licensee BP performed the required work obligations, including reprocessing 2D and 3D data, conducting geohazard, geology and geophysical studies, and progressed the block so that it is now drill ready. The 2D and 3D BP reprocessed data is available for licence from TGS, at extremely competitive rates (entry level purchase price 10,000 USD). Additional reports and other data in relation to the block will also be made available free of charge to bidders.

KeyFacts Energy: Licensing news