The Madagascar authorities plan to launch a tender for 40 to 44 offshore blocks in November 2018. The parliament is yet to approve the new petroleum legislation. However, OMNIS director has announced that the new bid round may use the current petroleum code if the new legislation is not approved in the next few parliament sessions.    OMNIS stays open for direct negotiation outside a tendering process for open onshore blocks and offshore blocks outside the blocks to be proposed for the coming biding round.  The initial draft prepared by OMNIS and the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum was discussed during a two-day workshop in March 2015 by representatives of various governmental departments, the civil society and representatives of oil exploration companies already active in Madagascar.  In view of this forthcoming bid round new seismic data has been acquired and treated by TGS/NOPEC (15 000 km) and BGP (13 000 km). Also Geospec/Robertson has retreated OMNIS old data with modern technology and integrating regional setting in order to produce better understanding of the Morondava basin potential.  Background information  On 7 March 2011, media reports indicated that the Madagascar government has suspended plans for an offshore bid round. Priority was to be given to the open acreage located in the offshore part of the Morondava Basin. The last tender in the country closed on 8 December 2006. In total, 122 offshore blocks were offered: 75 in the Morondava Basin, 24 in Cap d'Ambre and 23 in the area of Sainte Marie Island.   In late August 2013, it was understood that OMNIS has postponed the launching of the Madagascar international bid round until December 2014 due to the extension of the transition period for the presidential elections. 39 onshore blocks and 264 offshore blocks will be offered during the future bid rounds.
The Madagascar authorities plan to launch a tender for 40 to 44 offshore blocks in November 2018. 