A disagreement has erupted between two government institutions- the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), over the type of substance discovered in Doewien Town, District #1, Grand Bassa County.
The dispute is raising questions about extraction methods, environmental impact, and potential revenue for the country. The conflicting positions were presented Tuesday, June 16, 2026, before the Joint Committee on Hydrocarbons, Mines, and Energy during a hearing on the Grand Bassa discovery.
The Minister of Mines and Energy told the committee that following all testing, the substance discovered was “waste oil, not crude oil,” as had been speculated publicly. “The ministry is the authorized institution to determine what constitutes waste oil and crude oil,” the Minister said. “If oil is discovered, it will be in the best interest of the country. The conflicting reports coming from the National Oil Company are not the facts.” Mines Minister told the committee. NOCAL’s Acting CEO, Mr. Lai, told the committee that testing was still ongoing. The committee questioned why no results had been released nearly seven months after samples were collected.
In response, Mr. Lai explained that determining the presence of hydrocarbons typically takes between nine and twelve months under international industry standards. This timeline conflicts with the Minister’s statement that testing had been concluded.
LPRA also told the committee that no commercial oil was found and that the substance was “waste oil” rather than crude. Several members of the Joint Committee expressed mixed views during the hearing. Lawmakers called on the Minister of Mines and Energy to brief the committee on every step taken-from sample collection to laboratory analysis, and to provide a clear timeline for the release of final, verifiable results.
The dispute highlights the critical difference between “crude oil” and “waste oil.” Crude oil is a commercially viable hydrocarbon that can generate government revenue. Waste oil is typically a non-commercial residue with limited or no economic value, but it still carries environmental management requirements.
