On 30 April 2019, the Gambian government announced the award of Block A1, deep waters of the MSGBC Basin, to BP. This award is a result of the bid round for six exploration blocks which was launched in early 2018. Block A1 covers 1,300 sq km, it is awarded for an initial period of two years during which BP will complete an environmental assessment followed by exploration activities up to and including the drilling of one exploration well.  Block A1 is adjacent to the south of the Woodside-operated Sangomar Offshore Deep block in Senegal where the SNE oil field is currently being developed. Block A1 is also adjacent to the west of Block A2 where Petronas found some oil shows in the Samo 1 wildcat in November 2018. Of note also is that the Gamm 1 well currently drilled by Total in the Rufisque Offshore Profond block lies in a similar geological environment to the Block A1.  On 1 May 2019, African Petroleum, former right-holder to Block A1, announced that it continues to reserve its rights in relation to the A1 licence. On 16 October 2017 African Petroleum reported that it is in the process of commencing arbitration proceedings to protect its 100% interest in blocks A1 and A4. It is understood that by that time, African Petroleumâs permit for blocks A1 and A4 had been cancelled by the Gambian authorities. As of May 2019, the arbitration proceedings are believed to be still ongoing.
BP signed a contract (followed The Gambiaâs 2018 acreage promotion) for Alhamdulilah Block A1 (1300kmÂ²), located in DW offshore and currently under an arbitration process with African Petroleum who claims rights to blocks A1 + A4. The Company continues to reserve its rights in relation to the A1 licence and will continue with its efforts to protect its interest.