In July 2017, SOCO Exploration and Production Congo SA (SOCO) was granted the approval for a 25-year exploitation permit (PEX) for Viodo, Lideka and Loubana discoveries. These permits were part of the shallow water Marine XI block. SOCO was granted a twelve-month extension for the Marine XI block in March 2016 to allow the completion of the evaluation and interpretation of the 2015 reprocessed seismic. The period expired in March 2017.  The company was previously granted the Lidondo PEX in October 2016. SOCO operates the permit with a 40.39% interest. Partners are WNR (23%), SNPC (15%), Africa Oil & Gas Corp (AOGC) (13.11%) and PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corp (PVEP) (8.5%).
SOCO Exploration and Production Congo SA (SOCO) was granted the approval for a 25-year exploitation permit (PEX) for Viodo, Lideka and Loubana discoveries. 