(Ecofin Agency) - Following the success of two of its three applications in Mozambique’s fifth licensing round, Sasol has announced that it is set to explore wells in the country.

Sasol as operator with 70% and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos (ENH) the state oil company with 30% carried interest, were awarded the onshore Area PT5-C, which is about 3 012 km², adjacent to the Pande and Temane fields.

The company’s other successful bid was for Area A5-A, about 5 145 km² located in the offshore Angoche Basin. Italian oil company Eni is to act as operator in this block as it holds 34%, while Sasol and Statoil holds 25.5% each and ENH holding a 15% carried stake.

"Together with our bid partners, we welcome the opportunity to further participate in the growth and development of Mozambique, the heartland of our upstream operations. The country has been, and continues to be, a strategic partner for Sasol," Sasol’s CEO David Constable told News24Wire.

Last year Mozambique opened bidding process for 15 blocks with hydrocarbon potentias in offshore Rovuma, Zambezi and Angoche and the onshore Pande-Temane and Palmeira. This piqued the interest of other major energy companies such Eni and ExxonMobil.