Morocco has given official authorization to Qatar Petroleum International Upstream LLC to start oil exploration in its southern waters, near the Canary Islands.
Announced in the official bulletin of October 21, Morocco renewed the license of the Qatari company for sub-marine oil explorations in its southern Atlantic coast, near Tarfaya.
The area in question is located opposite Sidi Ifni, Tan Tan and Tarfaya. But in the Canary Islands, this renewal is reported with “extreme concern,” according to Spanish news website El Español.
The Canarian Coalition, a Spanish nationalist party, expressed concern over “environmental danger” to the Spanish news outlet, saying that “in case of an accident, and considering the area’s closeness to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura” are major reasons for worry.
The exploration permit for the area was held by Italian oil company Eni at 75%, through its subsidiary Eni Morocco, which sold 30% of its stake to Qatar Petroleum back in 2019.
In the official bulletin, several decrees of former Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment Aziz Rabbah, grants the exploration authorization while outlining the limits of the permit.
Morocco and Qatar had previously expressed their determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation in all energy sectors.
A joint technical committee between both countries was created through the understanding agreement on oil, gas, electricity, renewable energies and energy efficiency.
In addition, the two sides appointed liaison officers in their respective ministries to activate the agreed cooperation actions and prepare for the first meeting of the committee.
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