The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) has released a technical update confirming its awareness of the reported hydrocarbon seep discovered in Nevren Tan, Beon Town, Grand Bassa County. The site lies within the Roberts–Bassa Basin, roughly 7.6 miles inland from the coastline. In response to the report, NOCAL deployed two technical field teams to conduct seep reconnaissance, surface geological assessments, and collect baseline data.
Historical studies—including airborne gravity and magnetic surveys conducted in 2010 by Simba Energy, the only onshore reconnaissance license holder at the time—previously identified oil seep occurrences, suggesting the Roberts–Bassa Basin may hold potential for commercially viable hydrocarbons.
Building on these earlier insights, NOCAL’s geoscientists, along with technicians from the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC), carried out two days of rigorous field observations, reviewing historical datasets, collecting soil samples, and performing geological mapping. Their preliminary assessment affirms that the reported seep in Nevren Tan corresponds with structural and stratigraphic features typical of the Roberts–Bassa Basin.
Samples gathered from the area are now undergoing detailed laboratory geochemical testing, including API gravity analysis to determine whether the fluid is sweet or sour, biomarker profiling, and additional diagnostic evaluations to determine the fluid type, origin, and potential migration pathways. Final conclusions will be provided once all analytical processes are complete.
NOCAL acknowledges the high public interest surrounding this nationally significant issue and emphasizes the importance of accurate, verified information. The Corporation urges government institutions, media practitioners, community leaders, and public figures to avoid spreading unverified or speculative claims, as premature statements could compromise the integrity of the scientific process and the reliability of the final results.
NOCAL reaffirms its commitment to transparency and promises a comprehensive, evidence-based update to the Liberian public when its assessments conclude.
