Left waiting at the altar in Madagascar
The country’s efforts to kickstart offshore exploration have hit a snag
The Madagascar licensing round was launched and ready to roll, but then one partner went missing. New president Andry Rajoelina, sworn into office in January, decided he wanted to have another look at a process drawn up under his predecessor and has suspended it until further notice. A statement issued on behalf of Madagascar's state hydrocarbons firm Omnis on 15 February gave no indication of when, or if the process would resume. "Omnis in partnership with TGS and BGP, regret to inform you that following the decision from the newly elected government, the 2018/2019 Madagascar Licensing Round involving 44 blocks in the Morondava basin is suspended until further notification," it said. The co
Also in this section
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
16 January 2026
The global maritime oil transport sector enters 2026 facing a rare convergence of crude oversupply, record newbuild deliveries and the potential easing of several geopolitical disruptions that have shaped trade flows since 2022
15 January 2026
Rebuilding industry, energy dominance and lower energy costs are key goals that remain at odds in 2026
14 January 2026
Chavez’s socialist reforms boosted state control but pushed knowledge and capital out of the sector, opening the way for the US shale revolution






