MAURITANIA · ENERGY
Key Facts
- —What is happening A local report says President Ghazouani received Murphy Oil on 3 November before a planned contract signing.
- —Why it matters A US-listed explorer is moving into a country that already exports liquefied natural gas.
- —The numbers Mauritania shipped about 603,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas in July to September, up 16%.
- —Who is who Murphy Oil is a New York-listed US company; Mohamed Ould Abdelfettah is Mauritania’s energy minister.
- —What to watch Whether the contract was signed, which block it covers, and what spending Murphy commits.
- —What it means for you Murphy investors should expect no production date; check State Department advice before visiting Mauritania.
A local report says Mauritania’s president met an American oil company on Tuesday ahead of a planned gas contract. The terms and the block have not been published.
A local report says President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani received a delegation from US explorer Murphy Oil in Nouakchott on Tuesday, 3 November. It said the energy ministry was due to sign a gas exploration and production contract that evening.
The meeting matters because Mauritania is building a gas industry and wants more foreign explorers. For US readers, it shows a New York-listed company expanding along Africa’s Atlantic coast.
What Happened in Nouakchott
The local report said the president’s chief of staff, Al-Nani Ould Ichrouga, and Energy and Petroleum Minister Mohamed Ould Abdelfettah attended. It did not name the members of the Murphy delegation or quote any official.
The report said the contract signing was planned for the same evening. It did not describe the terms or name the block.
No statement from Murphy Oil, the presidency or the ministry on the outcome was found at the time of writing. The block, the contract length and the spending commitments are therefore unknown.
Who Is Murphy Oil
Murphy Oil is a US oil and gas company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol MUR. Its filings show recent activity in Vietnam, the Gulf of America and Ivory Coast.
In Ivory Coast, Murphy announced the Bubale-1X discovery in Block CI-709 in the second quarter of 2026. On 12 October it said an appraisal well in Block CI-103, which it operates, found about 27 metres of net oil pay.
Industry press reported in July that Murphy had applied for offshore exploration acreage in Mauritania. The same reports said the cabinet was asked on Wednesday, 8 July, to authorise exploration contracts with the company.
Mauritania’s Gas Push
Mauritania’s gas exports come from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field, which it shares with Senegal. It shipped about 603,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas in the third quarter of 2026, up 16% on a year earlier.
The field lies offshore on the maritime border with Senegal. Murphy has announced no Mauritanian discovery, so any new supply would come later.
Why a US Explorer Is Welcome
Gas could become a major source of state income for Mauritania, a desert country on Africa’s north-west Atlantic coast. Explorers such as Murphy have applied for acreage along its coast.
Exploration contracts commit a company to drilling and spending before any gas is found. Such contracts typically also set the state’s share of any later discovery.
What It Means for US Readers
Murphy Oil investors should note that exploration contracts carry no production for several years and can end without a discovery. No Murphy figures for Mauritania were found, so no earnings effect can be estimated.
Americans planning travel should check the State Department’s current advice for Mauritania before any trip. Related Rio Times reports cover Mauritania’s gas exports and the new energy minister.
Further background is in the gas, uranium and hydrogen outlook and the Mauritania explainer. More is on the Mauritania hub.
What Is Not Known
Only one local report carries the meeting and the planned signing, and no official text was found. Whether the contract was signed on 3 November is unconfirmed.
The block, whether it lies offshore or onshore, and the contract’s value and length are all unknown. Murphy’s partners, if any, were not named.
What Comes Next
Watch for a ministry or company statement naming the block, the work programme and the signing date. Murphy’s next quarterly update may show whether it counts Mauritania in its exploration plans.
A signed exploration contract does not mean gas has been found or that production will follow. It only gives the company the right to explore under agreed terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Murphy Oil?
Murphy Oil is a US oil and gas company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It explores in Ivory Coast, Morocco and Vietnam, and produces in the Gulf of America.
What did Mauritania’s president do on 3 November?
A local report says President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani received a Murphy Oil delegation in Nouakchott. It said a gas exploration and production contract was due to be signed that evening.
Was the contract signed?
That is not confirmed. No statement from the presidency, the ministry or Murphy on the outcome was found, and the terms are not public.
Does Mauritania already export gas?
Yes, from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim field shared with Senegal. It shipped about 603,000 tonnes of liquefied natural gas in July to September 2026.
Is it safe for Americans to travel to Mauritania?
Check the US State Department’s current advisory before any trip. Conditions differ between Nouakchott and the desert interior and borders.
Sources: Presidency of Mauritania; Murphy Oil Corporation, news release of 12 October 2026 (SEC filing); Murphy Oil Corporation, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 30 June 2026; Mauritanian and industry press, 3 November 2026 (all accessed 3 November 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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