The data underscores Senegal’s rapid transformation into a hydrocarbon producer, but it also raises a strategic question: can onshore exploration replicate offshore success? With a $100 million exploration campaign underway, the answer may shape discussions at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 conference in Dakar this December.

$100M Exploration Push

Senegal’s national oil company Petrosen has launched a $100 million exploration campaign targeting underexplored onshore basins across the country. The initiative aims to identify new crude discoveries by late 2026 through seismic acquisition, basin modeling and exploratory drilling programs.

Phase one of the campaign focuses on high-resolution seismic surveys across inland areas of the MSGBC basin. The geological logic is straightforward: major offshore discoveries such as Sangomar and GTA suggest that similar petroleum systems may exist beneath Senegal’s terrestrial basins.

To support this onshore push, the government is prioritizing the development of integrated energy corridors and cross-border infrastructure. By modernizing regional logistics hubs and expanding pipeline networks, Senegal is lowering the entry cost for private players.

This strategy aligns with the broader MSGBC vision of creating a unified energy market across West Africa, ensuring that new onshore discoveries have immediate, cost-effective pathways to both domestic and international markets.

At the 2025 edition of MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power, Senegal’s Minister of Petroleum & Mines Birame Soulèye Diop championed a vision of energy sovereignty rooted in regional integration through the West African Power Pool and the Nigeria-Morocco pipeline. “We must build together around shared interests,” the Minister said at the event.

These investments in midstream infrastructure provide a stable, long-term foundation for operators, significantly de-risking exploration projects and fostering a highly competitive, investor-friendly landscape for the coming decade.

Offshore Success Momentum

While the onshore campaign gathers pace, Senegal’s offshore sector continues to deliver record output. The Sangomar field, operated by Woodside Energy, has produced approximately 58.9 million barrels since launching in June 2024, with 58.6 million barrels already sold across 61 cargoes.

Production has stabilized around 100,000 barrels per day, exceeding earlier forecasts. In 2025 alone, Sangomar generated roughly 36.1 million barrels – nearly 20% above government projections – highlighting the reservoir’s strong performance and the reliability of its offshore infrastructure.

From February 2025 to February 2026, the GTA project exports 24 LNG cargoes totaling 4.04 million m3, alongside 1.6 million barrels of condensate marketed internationally.

These offshore milestones are reshaping Senegal’s investment landscape. Regulatory reforms introduced by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s administration aim to ensure exploration commitments are met while strengthening national participation through Petrosen and clearer licensing enforcement.

MSGBC Energy Outlook

The implications on these developments are expected to feature prominently at the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2026 conference scheduled for 1–3 December in Dakar. Industry leaders will examine how offshore success can translate into broader regional exploration and long-term industrialization.

If Petrosen’s $100 million campaign delivers new onshore discoveries, Senegal could deepen its role as a regional energy hub. Combined with stable production at Sangomar and growing LNG exports from GTA, the strategy positions the country to expand both upstream investment and domestic gas utilization