TotalEnergies and BluEnergies Partner to Explore Harper Basin Offshore Liberia

The French major and the Canadian junior have signed a joint agreement to assess the oil potential of three deepwater blocks. An 18-month work program includes reprocessing seismic data and acquiring new geological information.

January 16, 2026 Rudy Vervant

Countries	Liberia
Sector	Pétrole
Theme	Investissements & Transactions

TotalEnergies and BluEnergies announced the signing of a Joint Study and Application Agreement (JSAA) for oil exploration in the Harper Basin, located offshore Liberia. This partnership targets blocks LB-26, LB-30 and LB-31, situated in the deepwater zone of the West African transform continental margin. Subject to economically viable drilling prospects, both companies intend to apply for one or more production sharing contracts from Liberian authorities.

An 18-Month Technical Program

The planned work program includes the reprocessing of 6,167 km² of 3D seismic data, approximately 1.5 million acres. This data, originally acquired by TGS ASA in 2013, covers the majority of the relevant blocks. According to the information released, this program began on November 28, 2025. The agreement also provides for the acquisition of new seabed data, including multibeam surveys, heat flow studies and analysis of collected information.

To frame this collaboration, the Liberian subsidiaries of both groups obtained a new reconnaissance permit from the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA). This permit, referenced RL-003, covers an area of 8,924 km², approximately 2.2 million acres. The interest distribution assigns 65% to TotalEnergies and 35% to BluEnergies. The permit validity extends until June 30, 2027.

Previous Work and Negotiations

BluEnergies previously held a 100% reconnaissance permit, RL-002, which had enabled it to acquire a 3D seismic survey review license from TGS in October 2024. The company indicates it spent $1,862,000 (CAD 2,570,000) on the RL-002 work program, exceeding the minimum requirement of $1,600,000. Data interpretation reportedly identified seven distinct sedimentary fans dating from the Cretaceous period.

In the first quarter of 2025, BluEnergies had engaged in discussions with several deepwater operators. The company states it accepted an exclusive relationship with TotalEnergies in July 2025, followed by a non-binding memorandum of understanding signed on October 8, 2025. Reconnaissance expenditures incurred under permits RL-002 and RL-003 could be recovered under future production sharing contracts, according to the terms of the agreement.