Energean has handed back its operated interests in two licenses offshore Morocco to Chariot.
The London-based independent now operates the Lixus Offshore and Rissana Offshore licenses with a 75% stake, the remainder held by Morocco’s state-owned oil and gas company ONHYM.
Three wells have been drilled on the Anchois gas field discovery in the Lixus Offshore license, the last of which (Anchois-3) was completed in September 2024.
Results were below expectations, with the well failing to confirm the added volumes needed to justify an expansion of the initially planned development. However, the well did encounter multiple good-quality, gas-bearing reservoirs in the main B sand appraisal interval, Chariot said.
Chariot said it remains committed to progressing the mandatory work programs, and it will review and adapt the development plan going forward, in co-operation with ONHYM, based on the proven resource. It also will continue to assess the potential of the wider Lixus and Rissana license areas.
Chariot CEO Adonis Pouroulis claimed there was still potential for a rescaled development, which would be supported by the partners’ prior work concerning engineering design, environmental and regulatory approvals, project financing and gas sales. He said, “Gas market fundamentals in Morocco are robust with strong gas demand and excellent fiscal terms…”
