The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) informs the public that it is aware of the reported hydrocarbon seep in Nevren Tan, Beon Town, in Grand Bassa County, situated within the Roberts–Bassa Basin, approximately 7.6 miles inland from the coastline. In response, NOCAL conducted two technical field missions to conduct seep reconnaissance, surface geology assessments, and baseline data collection.
Speaking Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Ministry of information regular press briefing, Information Minister Jerolinmek M. Piah said historical reconnaissance studies, such as airborne gravity and magnetic surveys conducted in 2010 by Simba Energy, the only onshore reconnaissance license holder at the time, identified oil seep occurrences indicating that the Roberts–Bassa Basin may have potential for commercially viable hydrocarbons.
He said NOCAL is building on earlier findings, and geoscientists and technicians from the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) undertook two days of intensive field observation, desktop reviews of historical datasets, soil sampling, and geological mapping.
According to him, their assessments confirm that the reported seep area in Nevren Tan aligns with the structural and stratigraphic characteristics of the Roberts–Bassa Basin. Furthermore, samples collected from the seep zone are currently undergoing laboratory geochemical analysis, including API gravity determination to classify the fluid as sweet or sour, as well as biomarker profiling and diagnostic testing to establish the fluid type, source characteristics, and potential migration pathways.
“Conclusions will be issued upon the completion and integration of these technical evaluations,” he added. NOCAL recognizes the strong public interest in this matter of national importance and appreciates the desire for accurate information. They, however, urge government entities, members of the media, community leaders, and public figures to refrain from disseminating unverified or speculative information while technical investigations and laboratory analyses are still ongoing, as premature conclusions may undermine the integrity of the scientific process and the credibility of the results.
