The Liberia Petroleum Regulator Authority (LPRA) has commended the National Legislature for ratifying the petroleum contracts for LB-06, LB-11, LB-17 and LB-29 with TotalEnergies EP Liberia, and LB-15, LB-16, LB-22 and LB-24 with Oranto Petroleum Liberia Limited.
In a release issued Thursday, December 18, 2025, LPRA said these contracts represent a significant step, in more than a decade, to restart offshore exploration in Liberia, and are the direct result of President Joseph N. Boakai’s 2024 invitation and pledge to energy companies that Liberia would provide an environment anchored in ethics, law, best practice and contract enforcement.
The release noted that, through these contracts Liberia secured—before any discovery—US$27 million in signature bonuses, more than US$14.6 million in surface rentals, and annual payments for training, social programs, customs and hydrocarbon development. “Most importantly, the contracts help Liberia explore for and hopefully find oil,” the release stated.
“The LPRA reaffirms confidence in the capacity of both TotalEnergies and Oranto to execute their respective work programs. We equally assure Liberians that this confidence will be matched with oversight. The LPRA will ensure full compliance with all obligations, including work commitments and performance guarantees, while providing the necessary regulatory support—with the bounds of the law—that enable TotalEnergies and Oranto to deliver on their respective commitments,” the release observed.
The LPRA then extended appreciation to the ministries of Justice, Finance, and Mines and Energy, the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and the Special Presidential Committee on Oil and Gas for the cooperation and strong support it received from the licensing round through negotiations, and ratification.
“Building on this collaboration, the LPRA will continue to work with all stakeholders to attract additional operators to Liberia, and to lay the groundwork for possible discoveries and the long-term economic benefits it comes with for Liberians,” the release observed.
LPRA is the independent regulator of Liberia’s upstream petroleum sector, responsible for conducting bid rounds, leading negotiations of petroleum contracts and licensing and administering petroleum contracts.
