Legal Framework Strengthened for Hydrocarbon Exploration in Morocco
Morocco has officially established a five-year extension period, retroactively effective from November 30, 2021, for the exploration permits of hydrocarbon projects Lixus Offshore I and Lixus Offshore II. These projects are jointly managed by the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) and Chariot Oil & Gas Holdings (Morocco) Limited. This crucial decision was formalized through ministerial orders No. 1142.26 and 1143.26, which were published in Official Bulletin No. 7522 and signed on June 4, 2026, by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali. The orders specifically clarify that this initial extension period spans from November 30, 2021, to November 30, 2026, rectifying any potential misinterpretation that might suggest a new five-year extension would be granted in 2026. Essentially, these texts confirm that the extension was granted in 2021, and its validity will conclude at the end of November this year.
This decision comes at a time when Morocco is actively enhancing the attractiveness of its mining and oil sectors. Factors such as contractual stability and legal security are pivotal in attracting international operators willing to invest in financially intensive exploration projects. The Moroccan model relies on close collaboration between ONHYM and international private partners. According to agency data, the Kingdom possesses several terrestrial and marine sedimentary basins that are still underexplored, with geological potential that continues to capture the interest of international companies, despite a global context characterized by increased selectivity in investments directed towards exploration.
Strategic Developments in Gas Exploration
The Lixus Offshore permits have garnered significant attention following the discovery of the Anchois gas field, located off the coast of Larache. Exploration campaigns conducted by Chariot and ONHYM have revealed gas resources that could potentially supply the domestic market. Since this discovery, both partners have been working to confirm the commercial viability of the project and to prepare for its eventual development. For the Moroccan government, the significance of this project extends beyond merely discovering new resources. National gas production could support the country’s industrial expansion, meet the increasing demand from power plants, and enhance the competitiveness of energy-intensive sectors.
This vision is integrated into the national energy roadmap, which also includes the development of gas infrastructure such as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, a national gas transportation network, and the proposed Africa-Atlantic pipeline. The new ministerial orders are bolstered by addendum No. 3 of the Lixus Offshore oil agreement, signed on December 2, 2025, between ONHYM, Chariot Oil & Gas Holdings (Morocco) Limited, and Chariot Offshore Gas Limited, the latter identified in the document as the new name for Energean Morocco Limited. This modification was approved on April 3, 2026, by the ministries responsible for Energy and Finance, officially updating the identity of one of the partners within the contractual framework.
However, the Official Bulletin does not provide details regarding a potential redistribution of shares or any new financial or technical commitments, limiting itself to regulating the legal aspects of the concession. The Lixus Offshore dossier reflects the evolution of the Kingdom’s energy strategy. While renewable energies continue to be the primary focus of national energy policy, Morocco remains committed to exploring gas resources that can strengthen its energy sovereignty. According to the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the national strategy combines the development of renewable energy with the construction of gas infrastructure and the enhancement of domestic resources. ONHYM periodically reminds that exploration is a long-term activity characterized by high geological risk but also significant potential in basins that remain underexplored.
The date of November 30, 2026, now appears as a critical moment for the future of the Lixus Offshore I and II permits. Beyond this date, the continuity of the project will require new legal backing, whether through a new extension, a transition to an exploitation phase if an investment decision is made, or a potential reorganization of the consortium. In the meantime, the publication of these orders ensures the legal continuity of one of Morocco's principal offshore gas assets.
As reported by es.le360.ma.
