Keypoints:
- Oil output reached 36.1m barrels, beating revised 2025 forecasts
- Strong reservoir response and operational performance drove gains
- LNG exports also hit a monthly record in December
SENEGAL’S oil production surged well beyond expectations in 2025, cementing the country’s position as one of Africa’s most promising new energy producers and reinforcing confidence in its flagship offshore project.
According to figures released this week by the Ministry of Energy, Oil and Mines, total crude output for the year reached 36.1 million barrels. The result comfortably exceeded the government’s original projection of 30.53 million barrels and surpassed a revised estimate of 34.7 million barrels issued midway through the year.
In a report published on Wednesday, the ministry said the stronger-than-anticipated performance reflected ‘the good response of the reservoirs, the good maintenance of oil wells, and the robustness of operational performance’, signalling operational stability across the offshore production system.
Sangomar exceeds expectations
All of Senegal’s commercial oil production currently comes from the offshore Sangomar oil and gas field, located about 100 kilometres south of Dakar. The deepwater field is operated by Australian energy major Woodside Energy, which brought the project on stream in 2024, ushering Senegal into the league of oil-producing nations.
Since first oil, Sangomar has consistently outperformed early projections, benefiting from stable reservoir behaviour and high equipment reliability. Energy officials say improved maintenance planning and operational discipline helped sustain output throughout 2025, particularly during the second half of the year.
Analysts note that Senegal’s experience contrasts with several other new offshore developments in West Africa, where technical setbacks and extended ramp-up periods have weighed on production. Sangomar’s performance is increasingly viewed as a case study in disciplined project execution.
December crude sales boost revenues
Production momentum translated into strong export activity at year-end. The ministry confirmed that three cargoes of Sangomar crude were sold on the international market in December, accounting for a combined 2.94 million barrels.
Those shipments contributed significantly to annual export revenues and strengthened Senegal’s standing among global crude buyers seeking diversified supply sources. Market participants say Sangomar crude has attracted interest due to its relatively light and sweet characteristics, which allow refiners greater flexibility and lower processing costs.
While pricing details were not disclosed, officials indicated that crude sales were executed in line with prevailing international market conditions.
LNG output also sets records
Beyond oil, Senegal also exceeded expectations in liquefied natural gas production. LNG output reached its highest monthly level in December 2025, with exports totalling 0.5 million cubic metres during the month, according to the ministry.
Although Senegal remains a small LNG exporter by global standards, the December record highlights the country’s growing capacity to monetise gas resources alongside oil production. Authorities see gas as central to Senegal’s medium-term energy strategy, supporting both export earnings and domestic electricity generation.
Outlook for 2026
With Sangomar continuing to outperform forecasts, the government says its focus is now on consolidating operational gains while strengthening fiscal governance and revenue management. Officials have repeatedly stressed the need to channel oil and gas income into long-term economic development, infrastructure investment, and social programmes.
As global energy markets remain volatile, Senegal’s stronger-than-expected 2025 performance positions it as a credible new supplier with upside potential, particularly as offshore operations mature and gas exports scale up in the coming years.
