The second half of 2026 is set to be a pivotal period for Morocco’s natural gas sector, with two major drilling operations scheduled to begin in the Oriental region and a series of offshore projects advancing through the data-processing phase. The developments place Morocco at what analysts describe as a potentially transformative juncture in its hydrocarbons exploration history.
The most closely watched project is the Mou-6 well, to be drilled by British company Predator in the Guercif field from August 2026, pending administrative and environmental authorizations expected in July. The well casing has already been manufactured and is ready for shipment. Located 600 meters from the problematic Mou-3 well, which suffered flow continuity issues, Mou-6 is designed to overcome those technical shortcomings. Predator’s updated resource assessment puts the gas volume unlockable by Mou-6 at approximately 2.7 billion cubic meters, against a total probable potential of 18.81 billion cubic meters for the broader Guercif license.
If the well delivers on expectations, Predator plans to seek an exploitation licence for a compressed natural gas (CNG) pilot development targeting 20 MMscf per day over ten years at an initial price of $9 per Mscf. The economic projections are substantial: the project could generate gross revenues of $608 million over a decade, with an EBITDA of $338 million and net profit to Predator of $245 million after taxes, on an initial capital expenditure of $37.8 million. From year eight, production above 20 MMscf would be connected to the Maghreb-Europe pipeline.
A second key operation concerns the SBK-1 well in the Anoual licence adjacent to the Tendrara field, which is targeting entry into commercial production during the current semester. SBK-1 could unlock an additional 3.9 billion cubic meters and is critical for triggering phase two of the Tendrara development, which would bring annual production to approximately 300 million cubic meters. A third well, M5, carries a 50/50 probability but could release a further nine billion cubic meters if positive.
Offshore, four projects are advancing through seismic data interpretation: Murphy Oil’s Gharb Deep Offshore, ESSO’s Safi-Essaouira and Agadir-Ifni blocks, Hunt Oil’s Mogador permit and the Boujdour block held by Adarco and Delek Energy. Chariot Energy is simultaneously working to right-size its Anchois offshore field for commercial viability. A further offshore block, El Argoub, located south of Dakhla, is currently under negotiation with the ONHYM.
