The Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) has signed a reconnaissance permit agreement with Shell Exploration Company to undertake geological and geophysical studies across 19 offshore blocks, the PDSL announced on Wednesday.
Under the agreement, Shell will carry out comprehensive geological and geophysical analyses, including seismic data processing and interpretation, integration of well data with detailed petrophysical studies and the development of a regional subsurface and stratigraphic framework.
The reconnaissance programme will also cover basin modelling and petroleum systems analyses for the identification of reservoir fairways, as well as play-based exploration and prospectivity mapping.
“Securing Shell as a partner is a strong validation of the work we have undertaken to strengthen our geoscience database and regulatory framework. Our strategy is deliberately focused on de-risking the basin through high-quality data, attracting credible global players and accelerating the pathway towards exploration drilling,” said Foday B. L. Mansaray, director general of PDSL.
The agreement follows the execution by Sierra Leone of long-offset 3D seismic acquisition campaigns and 3D data reprocessing aimed at improving available subsurface imaging, which have resulted in the identification of several exploration plays.
PDSL is the government body that supervises all upstream and midstream oil and gas activities in Sierra Leone, holding responsibility for regulating, promoting and managing Sierra Leone’s petroleum resources. It.