TotalEnergies and BluEnergies are accelerating offshore oil exploration activities in Liberia’s Harper Basin as global energy companies continue to target promising deepwater reserves along Africa’s Atlantic margin.

The companies are advancing technical studies across Liberia’s offshore Blocks LB-26, LB-30 and LB-31, using advanced seismic technology and seabed surveys to identify potential drilling targets and assess the basin’s hydrocarbon potential.

Advanced seismic studies target new oil prospects

A major part of the exploration campaign involves the reprocessing of 6,167 square kilometres of existing 3D seismic data by global geoscience firm TGS. The project is more than 50% complete, with early results already helping improve understanding of the region’s geological structures.

The upgraded seismic imaging is designed to strengthen subsurface analysis and enhance amplitude versus offset (AVO) interpretation, a technology widely used by oil companies to identify possible hydrocarbon-bearing formations.

The improved dataset will support the selection of drill-ready prospects as TotalEnergies and BluEnergies evaluate opportunities within the Harper Basin.

Deepwater survey examines hydrocarbon potential

The exploration programme also includes a comprehensive seabed survey led by GeoPartners covering about 4,045 square kilometres in water depths between 500 metres and 3,500 metres. The survey, which began on June 19, 2026, using the R/V GYRE research vessel, is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2026.

Using Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES) technology, researchers are mapping seabed features including pockmarks, mud volcanoes, faults and other geological indicators linked to hydrocarbon migration.

Additional studies include water column imaging, seabed geochemical sampling through piston coring and heat flow measurements to better understand sediment conditions and the thermal evolution of the Harper Basin.

The combined findings are expected to deliver a refined interpretation of exploration opportunities by the fourth quarter of 2026.

BluEnergies highlights West Africa’s oil potential

Sergio Laura, Vice President of Exploration at BluEnergies, said the Harper Basin sits within the West Africa Transform Margin, a region attracting significant attention because of successful basin floor fan discoveries.

He pointed to major discoveries including Ghana’s Jubilee field, Namibia’s Venus discovery and recent offshore finds in Côte d’Ivoire as evidence of the potential along Africa’s western coastline.

“The recent activity by major oil companies securing deepwater acreage along Africa’s west margin confirms the early move by BluEnergies into the Harper Basin was strategically important,” Laura said.

Companies expand presence in African energy sector

TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company headquartered in Paris, France. The company operates across oil, biofuels, natural gas, green gases, renewable energy and electricity markets, with operations in more than 120 countries and a workforce exceeding 100,000 employees.

The company’s business model covers the entire energy value chain, including exploration and production, refining, trading and distribution. TotalEnergies is among the world’s largest energy companies and has maintained a growing presence across Africa’s oil and gas markets.

BluEnergies Ltd., a Canadian-based oil and gas exploration company focused on deepwater offshore opportunities in Liberia’s Harper Basin and shallow-water prospects in the United States Gulf of Mexico. The company holds a major interest in a Reconnaissance License covering approximately 8,924 square kilometres, or about 2.2 million acres, across Blocks LB-26, LB-30 and LB-31.

Formerly known as Acme Gold Company Limited, BluEnergies completed a strategic reverse takeover in April 2025, transforming the company into an international oil and gas exploration business focused on emerging offshore energy opportunities.