• Sierra Leone signs Shell deal to study 19 offshore blocks
• Agreement covers seismic analysis to identify hydrocarbon potential
• Move follows decades of unsuccessful exploration and licensing rounds

Sierra Leone signed a reconnaissance agreement with Shell on Wednesday, April 22, in Paris, covering 19 offshore blocks, the Petroleum Directorate of Sierra Leone (PDSL) said. The ceremony was held on the sidelines of the "Invest in African Energy 2026" forum.

The agreement covers 19 offshore blocks spanning approximately 20,594 square kilometers in Sierra Leone’s territorial waters, authorizing Shell to conduct geological and geophysical studies.

The reconnaissance program includes seismic data interpretation, petrophysical analysis, basin modeling and petroleum systems analysis. Shell will also be required to identify structural traps and map areas with hydrocarbon potential.

President Julius Maada Bio described the agreement as a "defining moment" in the responsible development of the country’s resources. PDSL Director General Foday Mansaray called it a "strong endorsement" of efforts to strengthen the country’s regulatory framework and geoscientific base.

The findings from these studies will determine which blocks are offered to oil companies in future licensing rounds.

Four Decades of Failed Exploration

The Shell agreement opens a new chapter in a hydrocarbon search spanning four decades. According to data compiled by Keyfacts Energy, Sierra Leone has recorded eight wells drilled and four non-commercial discoveries since the 1980s. A first offshore licensing round was launched in April 2002.

Five additional licensing rounds followed, including the most recent in 2022, none resulting in binding agreements, Ecofin Agency reported in November 2025. In response, the PDSL shifted its strategy to rely on geoscientific data to attract international oil companies.

That approach produced its first result last year. According to a statement from the African Energy Chamber (AEC) dated Oct. 31, 2025, the PDSL signed a reconnaissance agreement with Italian group Eni covering five offshore blocks totaling 6,790 square kilometers, marking Eni’s first entry into Sierra Leone.

In March 2026, APAnews reported that Freetown was preparing a sixth licensing round for hydrocarbon exploration. That round will draw on newly acquired 3D seismic data to attract partners willing to commit to drilling campaigns.

Abdel-Latif Boureima