Middle East / Africa
Country profile: Morocco
| Location: | Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Western Sahara |
| Climate: | Mediterranean, becoming more extreme in the interior |
| Terrain: | northern coast and interior are mountainous with large areas of bordering plateaus, intermontane valleys, and rich coastal plains |
| Size: | 446550 sq. km total (Land area: 446300 sq. km Water area: 250 sq.km) |
| Population: | 34,343,219 (July 2008 est.) |
| Languages: | Arabic (official), Berber dialects, French often the language of business, government, and diplomacy |
| Government: | constitutional monarchy |
| Capital city: | Rabat |
| Legal system: | based on Islamic law and French and Spanish civil law systems; judicial review of legislative acts in Constitutional Chamber of Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Currency: | Moroccan dirham (MAD) |
| Licensing: |
Country profile
In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, successive Moorish dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad AL-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956.
The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Morocco virtually annexed Western Sahara during the late 1970s, but final resolution on the status of the territory remains unresolved. Gradual political reforms in the 1990s resulted in the establishment of a bicameral legislature, which first met in 1997. Improvements in human rights have occurred and there is a largely free press. Despite the continuing reforms, ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch.
Energy production and consumption
| Oil | Gas | |
| Production: | 3,746 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 47 million cu m (2005 est.) |
| Consumption: | 176,000 bbl/day (2005 est.) | 47 million cu m (2005 est.) |
| Exports: | 21,890 bbl/day (2005 est.) | |
| Imports: | 186,100 bbl/day (2005 est.) | |
| Reserves: | 100 million bbl/day (2005 est.) | 1 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.) |
| Major fields: |
Morocco - recent news
| 27 Sep 24 |
Morocco: Sound Energy issues statement re Moroccan press speculation Further to the announcement of 14 June 2024 regarding the entry into a conditional binding Sale and Purchase agreement for the partial divestment by Sound Energy of its Moroccan assets, the Company notes Moroccan press speculation in relation to Managem having received authorisation by the Moroccan Competition Council to the transaction. |
| 19 Sep 24 |
Morocco: Sound Energy reports its half-year report for the six months ended 30 June 2024 Sound Energy, the transition energy company, has announced its unaudited half-year report for the six months ended 30 June 2024. |
| 18 Sep 24 |
Morocco: SDX Energy provides Morocco operations update SDX Energy has provided an update on its operations in Morocco. The Company continues to explore strategic partnership options with two multi-billion dollar international companies to provide financing support in the short-term, enabling SDX to drill an additional well within six months and acquire new 3D seismic data. |
| 16 Sep 24 |
Morocco: Chariot concludes Anchois-3 drilling campaign offshore Morocco Chariot Limited has announced preliminary results from the Anchois-3 well drilling campaign at the Anchois gas project in the Lixus Offshore licence, offshore Morocco. The Main Hole has now been plugged and abandoned, without flow testing, and the drillship is being demobilised. |
| 11 Sep 24 |
Morocco: Chariot provides update on Anchois-3 well offshore Morocco Chariot Limited, the Africa focused transitional energy group, has provided an update regarding the Anchois-3 well currently being drilled at the Anchois gas project in the Lixus Offshore licence, offshore Morocco. |
Morocco - more news
Other countries in this region
- Algeria,
- Angola,
- Bahrain,
- Benin,
- Botswana,
- Burundi,
- Cameroon,
- Central Africa Republic,
- Chad,
- Comoros,
- Congo (Brazzaville),
- Congo (Democratic Rep.),
- Cote d'Ivoire,
- Djibouti,
- Egypt,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Eritrea,
- Ethiopia,
- Gabon,
- Gambia,
- Ghana,
- Guinea (Republic),
- Guinea Bissau,
- Iran,
- Iraq,
- Israel,
- Jordan,
- Kenya,
- Kuwait,
- Lebanon,
- Liberia,
- Libya,
- Madagascar,
- Malawi,
- Mali,
- Mauritania,
- Mauritius,
- Mozambique,
- Namibia,
- Niger,
- Nigeria,
- Oman,
- Palestine,
- Qatar,
- Rwanda,
- Sao Tome,
- Saudi Arabia,
- Senegal,
- Seychelles,
- Sierra Leone,
- Somalia,
- Somaliland,
- South Africa,
- South Sudan,
- Sudan,
- Syria,
- Tanzania,
- Togo,
- Tunisia,
- Uganda,
- United Arab Emirates,
- Western Sahara,
- Yemen,
- Zambia,
- Zanzibar,
- Zimbabwe
