Explorers mull Côte d’Ivoire campaigns

Tullow, BP and CNR are among IOCs with drilling plans

Attractive licensing terms and a revamped acreage map have put Côte d'Ivoire firmly back on the radar for explorers. But the country could do with an early discovery to persuade international oil companies (IOC) to convert positive plans into substantial drilling campaigns. Abidjan has been pushing hard to ensure that IOCs maintain interest in an upstream sector that has promised much but delivered few oil and gas discoveries in recent years. A dry well drilled by Ophir Energy in 2017 paved the way for that company's exit from the country. These days, terms for explorers in Côte d'Ivoire are viewed as being amongst the most competitive in Africa. Bernard Looney, BP's head of upstream, praise