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
| 24 Apr 24 |
Sound Energy has announced final results for the year ended 31 December 2023 Sound Energy, the transition energy company, has announced its audited final results for the year ended 31 December 2023. Substantial 2023 Project execution undertaken - positioned for significant operational and financial progress through development of pivotal Moroccan Tendrara Production Concession, with rig activities from June 2024 and plant commissioning planned by year end. |
| 10 Apr 24 |
Morocco: Chariot announces completion of Energean transaction and signature of rig contract Chariot has announced that following receipt of all necessary Moroccan governmental and regulatory approvals, the Partnership Agreements with Energean, as announced on 7 December 2023, have now fully completed. Energean now holds 45% and 37.5% of the respective interests in, and is operator of, the Lixus and Rissana licences, offshore Morocco. |
| 03 Apr 24 |
Morocco: SDX Energy spuds BMK-2 well in the Rharb Basin, Morocco SDX Energy has commenced drilling the Beni Malek-2 well ('BMK-2') in the Rharb Basin, Morocco, approx. 1.5km from the BMK-1 discovery well. The BMK-2 well will be drilled to a planned depth of approx. 1,470 metres and is targeting three stacked reservoirs in the Guebbas formation, which have been identified using 3D seismic. |
| 07 Mar 24 |
Morocco: Chariot provides Loukos onshore pre-drill webcast AIM-listed Chariot, the Africa focused transitional energy group, has announced that a technical presentation, providing an overview of the upcoming drilling campaign at the Loukos licence onshore Morocco, is available on the Chariot website. |
| 20 Feb 24 |
Morocco: Predator provides update on its Phase 1 rigless testing programme onshore Morocco Predator Oil & Gas Holdings, the Jersey based Oil and Gas Company with near-term operations focussed on Morocco and Trinidad, has provided an update on its Phase 1 rigless testing programme onshore 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
