In 2009, Morocco made a significant discovery with the finding of the Anchoa offshore gas field, as part of the country's intensified exploration efforts over the last two decades aimed at harnessing its natural resources. The Anchoa field is expected to play a crucial role in fulfilling a substantial portion of Morocco's domestic energy needs, with potential output reaching up to one billion cubic meters annually, which aligns with the country's gas requirements.
Despite this promising potential, the development of the Anchoa field and the utilization of its estimated reserves of approximately 1.4 trillion cubic feet are facing multiple challenges. Notably, in May 2025, the Greek company Energean announced its withdrawal from the project, according to data from the specialized energy platform focused on oil and gas. This setback raises concerns about the future of the field, especially as Morocco aims to reduce its energy import bills and potentially advance its production capabilities for future exports.
For more information on the oil and gas fields in the Arab region, you can explore the dedicated section on the specialized energy platform [here](https://attaqa.net/category/power-encyclopedia/oil-and-gas-fields/), which includes exclusive insights and data covering exploration, production, and reserves.
The Anchoa Offshore Gas Field
The Anchoa offshore gas field was first discovered in 2009, situated within the "Lixus" license area off the coast of Larache, and comprises around three sub-sea wells. Different estimates from developing companies regarding the largest gas field in Morocco indicate varying outcomes. Energean, in its financial results for the first half of 2024, reported that the resources discovered in the Anchoa-3 well were below expectations. Conversely, British company Chariot Energy stated that it had identified gas-bearing sand layers.
According to Energean, which is listed on the London and Tel Aviv stock exchanges, drilling operations within the Anchoa-3 appraisal well commenced using the "Stena Forth" rig on August 20, 2024. The drilling objectives for the Anchoa-3 well included preliminary evaluations of the potential of the Anchoa lower wall within the fault block to the east of the main field, which is believed to hold significant resources.
Operators of the Anchoa Offshore Field
With Energean's exit from Morocco, Chariot now holds 75% of the operational stakes in the Anchoa offshore field, while the Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines retains a 25% share. Energean's withdrawal followed the completion of drilling in the Anchoa-3 well, where it concluded that the volume of gas resources did not meet its expectations and would be suitable for a "small company," according to the statement released at that time.
Simultaneously, Chariot Energy is optimistic about capitalizing on the potential value of the resources, which could increase the reserves base to over one trillion cubic feet of natural gas, as indicated by the specialized energy platform's database. Preliminary estimates suggest that the discovered quantities of gas in the Anchoa offshore field reach 1.4 trillion cubic feet. Chariot noted that initial assessments revealed gas-bearing sand layers within the main well, prompting the company to conduct further detailed drilling to evaluate the results more accurately, as stated in its announcement on September 11, 2024.
Regarding the initial exploratory well in the Anchoa offshore field, the company reported finding natural gas; however, the layers also contained water, leading to the well's blockage. The primary objective of drilling the exploratory well was to assess the potential gas capabilities of the main field, which is expected to contain 170 billion cubic feet. Additionally, a deeper well north of Anchoa is planned, which may include an estimated 213 billion cubic feet of additional resources, subsequently reducing the risks associated with the nearby southern Anchoa well, estimated to hold around 372 billion cubic feet of potential resources.
As reported by attaqa.net.
