Dana Petroleum in North African swap

UK EXPLORER Dana Petroleum has sealed a swap deal with Gaz de France (GdF), exchanging some of its prime acreage off Mauritania in order to enter North Africa for the first time. As well as making a first appearance in Algeria and Egypt, two of the region's more established oil and gas producing zones, the deal also gives Dana more UK North Sea rights, already one of its core operating areas. The exploration and production firm's principal African business is focused on the west of the continent, including Mauritania, Senegal and Ghana. It also has a smattering of interests in Kenya, in the east. Tom Cross, Dana's chief executive – keen to expand in Africa – said the deal delivers both immed