MSGBC basin attracts rising interest as new deepwater prospects emerge

The MSGBC region—spanning Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Guinea-Conakry—is drawing renewed interest from international oil and gas companies as governments move to unlock underexplored acreage and advance new offshore prospects.

Several global players are expected to enter the southern portion of the basin in the coming months, following Chevron’s acquisition of Guinea-Bissau acreage earlier this year. Industry analysts note that while the northern MSGBC area has moved into an established production phase with developments in Senegal and Mauritania, the southern sector remains largely undrilled but geologically promising.

“The south of the MSGBC basin has yet to deliver a major discovery, but interest is rising,” said Ben Sayers of GeoPartners. “Multiple companies are evaluating opportunities in The Gambia and Guinea-Conakry, and the recent entry of a supermajor into Guinea-Bissau could signal increased activity.”

Advancements in deepwater acreage are also drawing attention. According to SLB’s Paul Freeman, deeper segments of the basin—largely unexplored—present new play concepts similar to those proven in Namibia’s Orange basin. “Once you go below 1,000 meters, there has been little exploration. The geology is favorable, and deeper plays could unlock significant potential,” he said.

Regional governments are working to position the MSGBC basin as a competitive exploration hub. Countries are updating fiscal terms, improving regulatory structures and preparing new licensing opportunities to attract capital. National oil companies, including Senegal’s Petrosen, are taking a more active role in preliminary technical work to help de-risk acreage for incoming partners.

“We know the geology is attractive. The challenge is making the basin competitive enough to draw more operators,” said Petrosen CEO Alioune Guèye.

Mauritania, aiming to accelerate progress on its BirAllah gas development, has recently strengthened investment terms and local content regulations to improve project economics and operational clarity.

Record-breaking gas production from Senegal and Mauritania, coupled with rising international interest, suggests the MSGBC basin could become one of West Africa’s next major exploration frontiers—particularly as operators look toward underexplored deepwater zones and new southern plays.