Senegal's national oil company, PETROSEN, is preparing to invest $100 million in an ambitious onshore exploration programme starting in 2026. Revealed by holding company managing director Alioune Gueye during a Bloomberg interview on the sidelines of a meeting in London on 10 February, the initiative aims to intensify the search for new onshore oil and natural gas deposits, replenish reserves and strengthen the country's energy sovereignty.
According to Gueye, this budget, equivalent to around CFA 55 billion, will be allocated to subsidiary PETROSEN EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION, which will lead the project. “Since we have already made discoveries offshore, it is logical to think that we have the same potential on land,” he said. “We are investing at least $100 million to launch this exploration,” he added, emphasising the company's commitment to taking the lead in this underexplored area.
The strategic objective is clear: extending offshore successes to onshore sedimentary basins. As the managing director explained, “offshore discoveries could have natural extensions into onshore sedimentary basins, as geology knows no boundaries.” By investing in Senegal's largely unexplored onshore areas, PETROSEN hopes not only to make the next major discoveries itself, but also to encourage international partners to take a greater interest in this promising part of the sedimentary basin.
“We hope to make a major discovery in our onshore basin by the end of the year,” Gueye concluded, signalling PETROSEN's ambition to maximise economic benefits for Senegal. This forms part of a wider strategy to strengthen the national company, which, since production began at the Sangomar oil field and the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) gas field through joint ventures, has aspired to become a fully fledged operator and participate across the entire hydrocarbons value chain.
Senegal's first commercial onshore gas discovery dates back to 1993, at the DN-14 well in Diamniadio, which PETROSEN immediately brought into production. After several decades of relative inactivity in this area, reviving onshore exploration is seen as an urgent necessity. It aims to establish Senegal firmly among Africa's leading hydrocarbons producers, strengthen local content and develop national expertise, thereby contributing to greater energy independence and sustainable economic development.
The announcement comes as Senegal's energy sector gains positive momentum from recent offshore advances. Sector experts welcome the initiative as a decisive step towards resource diversification and greater attractiveness to foreign investors. By taking a leading role, PETROSEN could open up new opportunities for the national economy.
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