São Tomé and Principe opens bidding for new blocks

São Tomé and Príncipe

SãO TOMé, May 8, 2026 – São Tomé and Principe has opened the bidding for up to 85% participating interest in three offshore blocks in the western portion of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Africa Energy Chamber said on Friday.

The National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Principe has invited eligible oil companies to submit technical and financial proposals for blocks 7, 8 and 9 in the EEZ, acreage that is considered geologically analogous to basins offshore Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, and where recent seismic reprocessing has confirmed viable petroleum systems.

Exploration will target Cretaceous structures, with São Tomé and Principe seeking to build on rising interest from companies including Petrobras and Shell. The blocks are governed by Petroleum Operations Law No. 16/2009, and interested companies are required to submit separate proposals by June 30, 2026.

The National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Principe regulates, administers and supervises domestic oil and natural gas activities.

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