(Ecofin Agency) - Woodside Petroleum on Thursday announced that it has extended its exploration acreage in Africa by securing interests in waters off Senegal and Guinea-Bissau.

The company’s agreement with Impact Oil and Gas allows it to purchase a 65 % interest in a 6700 km² production sharing contract (PSC) in the AGC Profond permit off the coast of the countries.

Earlier this month, Impact had announced that technical analysis carried out showed that the permit has a high degree of prospectivity. The company said recent finds made by Cairn Energy in Senegal represents the potential of the AGC Profond acreage.

Woodside is to be the operator of the venture with 65% while Impact will holds a 20 % interest and AGC with 15 %.

According to Energy-Pedia, the AGC Profond block which lies within the common maritime zone created in 1993 between Senegal and Guinea-Bissau in water depths ranging from 1000 to >3000m was approved on October 2, 2014. Seismic interpretation is however ongoing through two current 3D surveys; Cheval Marin and Croix du Sud.

Anita Fatunji