Senegal’s first offshore oil project is maintaining steady production, with the Sangomar field delivering nearly 18 million barrels in the first half of the year as the country looks to strengthen its position as one of West Africa’s newest oil producers.

Oil production at the Sangomar offshore field, operated by Australia’s Woodside Energy, reached 17.9 million barrels by the end of June, according to figures released Monday by Senegal’s energy ministry. The project produced 3.1 million barrels in January, 2.8 million in February, 3.1 million in March, 2.9 million in April, 3.1 million in May, and 2.9 million in June.

Advancing Senegal’s offshore oil production goals

The latest figures keep production broadly in line with last year’s performance, when the field averaged Senegal’s Sangomar field delivered nearly 18 million barrels in the first half of the year as Woodside Energy plans to expand production. 3 million barrels a month and delivered 36.2 million barrels for the year. The steady output comes as Woodside reviews options to increase production from the offshore development.

The Australian energy company is assessing a second phase of the project that could lift production to about 150,000 barrels a day, the African Energy Chamber said last week. If approved, the expansion would strengthen Sangomar’s role as one of West Africa’s newest offshore oil developments.

$5.2 billion oil project reshapes Senegal’s economy

Located about 100 kilometers (62 miles) off the coast of Dakar, Sangomar is Senegal’s first offshore oil-producing field. The $5.2 billion project is operated by Woodside Energy, which owns an 82 percent stake, alongside state-owned Petrosen, which holds the remaining 18 percent. The field is designed to produce about 100,000 barrels a day and is estimated to contain roughly 630 million barrels of recoverable resources.

The project is already reshaping Senegal’s economy. Oil and gas production helped lift economic growth to 6.7 percent last year, while increasing exports and narrowing the country’s current account deficit, according to the economy ministry. Finance Minister Cheikh Diba said last week that revenue from hydrocarbon production would help fund priority government spending aimed at reducing poverty.

With production remaining steady and expansion plans under review, Sangomar is expected to remain central to Senegal’s economic plans as the government works to turn its growing oil and gas industry into a lasting source of public revenue and export earnings.