US based, ExxonMobil announced that its wholly owned affiliate, ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Mauritania Deepwater Ltd., has signed production sharing contracts with the government of Mauritania for three deepwater offshore blocks.
Namely, blocks C22, C17 and C14 are located an average of 124 miles (200 kilometers), offshore Mauritania. Together they measure nearly 8.4 million acres in water depths ranging from 3,300 feet to 11,500 feet, or 1,000 meters to more than 3,500 meters.
“These blocks further enhance ExxonMobil’s leading global deepwater acreage position. We thank the government of Mauritania for the opportunity to evaluate the potential of this acreage using our expertise and advanced technology.” said Steve Greenlee, president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.
After the government approves the contracts, ExxonMobil will start exploration activities, including acquisition of seismic data and analysis.
ExxonMobil will manage the work program as operator with 90 percent interest, with Societe Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures et de Patrimoine Minier holding a 10 percent interest.