Annual Report 2008 - Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines

PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
The year 2008 has seen a momentum for
onshore and offshore explorations which
resulted in the opening of new frontier areas
and a greater diversification in exploration
objectives.
Moreover, a larger use of 3D seismics, a major
tool for exploration, was made and was extended
to the shallower and onshore objectives.
2008 showed a resumption of exploration drilling
activities with some promising results.
Onhym’s activity
Petroleum exploration of the Moroccan
sedimentary basins, by ONHYM’s own
means, was carried out in 2008 and was
characterized by the implementation of the
following geological and geophysical works :
• Acquisition of the remaining 3D seismic
program on Meskala-Toukimt zone, covering
a surface of 161 sq km over 185 sq km ;
Activity Report 2008
Hydrocarbon licensing
Compared to the year 2007, the license and
acreage awarding for hydrocarbon exploration
registered in 2008 an important increase of
89 %. Onshore, more than 90 % of the surface
open to exploration were covered by exploration
permits or reconnaissance contracts.
By the end of 2008, the licensing domain is
broken down as follows :
Designation ONHYM Partnership Area sq km
Onshore exploration permits 13 25 184.90
Onshore exploration permits 52 90 136.49
Offshore exploration permits 41 73 164.77
Onshore reconnaissance licenses 7 128 182.80
Offshore reconnaissance licenses 1 4 921.50
Exploitation concessions 6 98.51
Exploitation concessions 4 18.85
Total 321 707.82
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