Mining company Chariot Limited has announced that it has fully regained control of two important offshore gas licenses in Morocco, after Energean plc returned its stake in the projects.
Energean transferred its entire interest in the Lixus Offshore and Rissana Offshore licences to Chariot by handing over its local subsidiary. Chariot now owns 75% of both licences and has become the operator once again. The remaining 25% is still held by Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM).
One of the key areas in this project is the Anchois gas field, located in the Lixus Offshore licence. So far, three wells have been drilled in the area. The most recent well, Anchois-3, was completed in September 2024. While it did not find enough gas to allow for an expansion of the original development plan, it did confirm the presence of good quality gas in one of the main zones, said Chariot in a press release.
With the operatorship back in its hands, Chariot says it will continue to work on developing the gas field, in partnership with ONHYM. The company plans to review and adapt the development plan based on the gas that has already been discovered.
Chariot will also explore the larger area around both Lixus and Rissana to assess further gas potential.
“We are pleased to have completed the transfer of these licences and regained operatorship as we see material value within our diversified Moroccan position, both offshore and onshore,” said Chariot CEP Adonis Pouroulis.
The Anchois gas discovery remains promising for Chariot, and the company is now working to reshape the development plan based on their previous work on engineering design, environmental and regulatory approvals.
He added that Morocco has strong demand for gas and offers good financial conditions for energy projects. Chariot plans to keep working closely with ONHYM and the Ministry of Energy Transition to move these gas projects forward.
