Morocco unttapped oil and Gas
Morocco Pitches Untapped Oil and Gas Potential At Africa Oil Week in Accra
deals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Salam Lahsini a representative of ONHYM - the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines - said the country has big potential that remains under-evaluated.
"The Anti-Atlas has a big potential. We have demonstrated petroleum systems, we have an existing oil and gas production, not a big one, but we produce gas mainly in onshore basins, and we have also extensive underexplored basins in Morocco," he said.
According to Salim Lahsini, ONHYM's role is to translate that geological potential into bankable opportunities.
"ONHYM's role is to translate this potential into opportunities that investors can evaluate responsibly, through data, technical data integration, transparent partnership, and also an early consideration of the local demand and the infrastructure. So this is what we do, this is ONHYM's role, and this is also my mission."
Speaking on the sidelines of the conference, Salam Lahsini a representative of ONHYM - the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines - said the country has big potential that remains under-evaluated.
"The Anti-Atlas has a big potential. We have demonstrated petroleum systems, we have an existing oil and gas production, not a big one, but we produce gas mainly in onshore basins, and we have also extensive underexplored basins in Morocco," he said.
According to Salim Lahsini, ONHYM's role is to translate that geological potential into bankable opportunities.
"ONHYM's role is to translate this potential into opportunities that investors can evaluate responsibly, through data, technical data integration, transparent partnership, and also an early consideration of the local demand and the infrastructure. So this is what we do, this is ONHYM's role, and this is also my mission."
For Morocco, the move from Cape Town to Accra is a familiar territory.
"Africa Oil Week is not a new event. We attended this event a long time ago, when it was held in Cape Town. Many years, I think, more than 15 years, maybe. And we followed the evolution of the event. So when we learned that this event would be held in Accra, it was not a problem for us. We love this country," he said.
He noted that while the country and atmosphere have changed, the branding and essence of the event remain under organiser Paul Sinclair.
On outcomes at this year's edition, he was clear that Africa Oil Week is a promotion platform, not a deal-signing venue.
"To be clear with you, we don't attend this conference to make deals. It's mainly to promote our potential. So we do presentations, we meet companies, but we don't come here to sign any deal."
The typical process, he explained, starts with B2B meetings in Accra - three to five companies expressing interest in specific basins. ONHYM then shares technical brochures and data for internal evaluation, followed by an invitation to Morocco for data rooms.
"When they come after that to Morocco, it's a long process between meeting a company here and to make a deal. It can take 3 months, 6 months, even a year, 2 years sometimes."
The timeline depends on company size. Small and mid-cap explorers with ready-made exploration scenarios move faster, while majors go through multi-level approvals that can take up to five years.
"It's a normal process for us. That's why we not only attend one event or two or three, usually we attend between 10 to 12 events every year. Every year. In Africa, in Europe, in America. And it's a part of our job, of our core mission."
Last year, the team reported strong interest and positive feedback after a series of meetings in Accra, a momentum Morocco hopes to build on as it seeks partners for its onshore and offshore acreage.
Africa Oil Week, a leading international conference for Africa's oil, gas and upstream sector, held in Accra this year from September 1-3, bringing together governments, regulators, investors and industry leaders to discuss investment and policy.
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