Cameroon’s SNH Launches 2026 Bid Round at AEW African Farmout Forum

Cameroon’s Société Nationale des Hydrocarbures (SNH) launched the country’s 2026 Bid Round during the African Farmout Forum at African Energy Week in Cape Town, offering six blocks for exploration across three sedimentary basins. The bid round comes as the country seeks new investment across frontier acreage and offers a strategic entry point for both established and emerging operators seeking new opportunities across a proven Central African hydrocarbon market.

The acreage covers Blocks Ndian River and Bakassi in the Rio del Rey Basin; Kombe-Nsepe and Bomono in the Douala/Kribi-Campo Basin; and Zina and Makary in the Logone Birni Basin. All the blocks feature 2D seismic data coverage and lie in close proximity to strategically proven acreage in other markets. Delivering a presentation at the African Farmout Forum, Pierre Eric Nkoa Nkoa, Deputy Exploration Manager, SNH, said the company is accepting bid submissions until May 28, 2027, with results expected in June 2027.

Organized Moyes & Co, Farmout Angel & Envoi Ltd, the African Farmout Forum brought together a program of 23 farmout presentations.

North and East Africa: Frontier Acreage Meets Gas Development

Offshore Somalia, SOMA Oil & Gas is seeking co-funding for 3D seismic across PSAs 129, 130 and 192, supported by 23,000 line kilometers of licensed seismic. Liberty Petroleum presented Block 131’s Leopard opportunity, outlining a $20 million seismic acquisition program.

Joint Oil showcased its Tunisia-Libya offshore bid round, which closes on December 31, 2026. Opportunities comprise the undeveloped Zarat gas-condensate discovery and exploration across the 3,055-square-kilometer Joint Oil Block.

Offshore Seychelles, Petroquest Africa is seeking a partner for a $15 million program to reprocess Junon 3D seismic and acquire new coverage over Beau Vallon, highlighting the drill-ready Junon South prospect.

West Africa: Seismic and Drilling Opportunities Seek Capital

In Sierra Leone, FA Oil is seeking drilling partners for License 001/23, supported by 3,000 square kilometers of 3D seismic. Nigeria’s Resourceful Group presented the Oza field in OML 11, highlighting stacked reservoirs and export access through the Trans Niger Pipeline to Bonny.

In Ghana, GeoPartners outlined a basin-scale farmout covering approximately 11,700 square kilometers, with an 11,000-square-kilometer 3D survey scheduled for early 2027. AMNI International is offering participation in its 90% interest in Offshore Central Tano, with a contracted rig and Kusia-1x drilling scheduled for the second or third quarter of 2027.

Sonidep presented 15 blocks available for investment in Niger, with key datasets for each. In Ivory Coast, Harvex and Petroci is seeking pre-funding for 3D seismic on deepwater Block CI 604.

Southern Africa: Orange Basin Upside Meets Domestic Gas Demand

Namibia’s Oregen Energy outlined a farmout process for Orange Basin Block 2712A, welcoming operators, seismic companies and financial investors. South Africa’s Nomad Energy is seeking a partner for 10-12 Northern Karoo gas wells, highlighting existing discoveries and nearby power and pipeline infrastructure.

Complementing upstream opportunities, ccCash presented payments supporting households’ transition to clean cooking, with measurable impact reporting for participating companies.

Central Africa: New Blocks and Discoveries Open Investment Routes

Chad’s CGIP is seeking partners for drilling, workovers and discovery tie-ins across Block H and DOC/DOD, highlighting a $400 million cost recovery pool and potential early production within 18 months.

In the DRC, CoMiCo is seeking seismic or drilling partners for Cuvette Centrale Blocks 1, 2 and 3. A separate Albertine Graben opportunity covers Blocks 1 and 2, seeking a phased farm-in for 3D seismic and exploration drilling on the DRC side of Lake Albert.

Gabon’s DGH presented 26 available blocks spanning onshore to ultra-deepwater acreage. Angola’s ANPG highlighted Kwanza opportunities, including Block 36 and 37 in the current bid round. In the Republic of Congo, SNPC and Xcalibur presented Falcon AGG to support exploration in the Cuvette Centrale.

International Opportunities: Global Prospects Seek Partners in Cape Town

Grenada presented six blocks under its upcoming 2027 licensing round, with a virtual data room and proposal process scheduled for 2027 and awards targeted by year-end. The UAE’s Sharjah National Oil Company showcased Area A’s approximately 1 tcf of discovered gas and Area C exploration prospects, while expressing interest in African investments.

Liberty Petroleum presented five Australian Officer Basin licenses covering oil, gas, helium and natural hydrogen potential.