Sen. Konneh Calls on the Senate to Reject the Oranto Petroleum Production Sharing Contracts

Senator Amara Konneh has issued a strong public call urging the Liberian Senate to reject the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) recently submitted by the Executive Branch between the Government of Liberia and Oranto Petroleum. Speaking in response to the Senate hearings held on the agreements which also include TotalEnergies Senator Konneh stated that the Oranto contract “raises more questions than answers” and exposes Liberia to serious risks that cannot be ignored. Reflecting on the hearing, Senator Konneh noted that key negotiators of the Oranto contract “could not answer straightforward questions about the very agreement they helped negotiate.” 

He said this lack of clarity “signals deep problems with the contract and the negotiation process itself,” adding that such uncertainty is unacceptable for a sector as sensitive and strategic as oil and gas. Senator Konneh reminded the public and his colleagues that Liberia has been in this exact position with Oranto before. “In 2007, Oranto took control of oil blocks in Liberia with big promises but never drilled a single exploration well,” he said. Instead, the company sold its rights to Chevron and reportedly earned more than US$100 million in profit, “while Liberia received nothing no drilling, no jobs, no data, no infrastructure.” 

He also highlighted reports from Liberians who previously worked with Oranto but claim they were never paid. “After abandoning us once, Oranto has now returned asking for our trust again. That alone should give us pause,” Senator Konneh stressed. Senator Konneh emphasized that Liberia is not the only country where Oranto and its parent company, Atlas Petroleum, have failed to meet commitments. “In Uganda, Oranto was awarded the Ngassa block in 2007 but never drilled a well. After almost a decade of inaction, Uganda had to cancel the license,” he noted. He further explained that the same pattern exists elsewhere: 

• In Senegal, Oranto holds the Saint Louis Offshore Profond block but has conducted no major exploration.
• In Equatorial Guinea, Oranto repeatedly failed to carry out drilling or meaningful seismic work, resulting in years of extensions with no tangible progress.

“Africa Intelligence and other industry trackers have documented these failures for years,” Senator Konneh said. “The pattern is clear: acquire acreage, make big promises, do nothing, then walk away or sell the rights for profit. Liberia cannot afford to repeat this mistake.” Senator Konneh also pointed to recent developments in Sierra Leone, where the government canceled the exploration license of Innoson Oil and Gas for failing to meet its commitments. 

“Sierra Leone sent a strong message last week: no more companies holding national assets hostage. Liberia must heed this warning,” he said. Senator Konneh expressed deep concern about the financial structure of the Oranto PSC, calling it “weak, risky, and structured in a way that leaves Liberia at a disadvantage.” According to the agreement, the signature bonus is publicly listed as US$3.75 million per block US$15 million total. But Senator Konneh pointed out that “the public has not been told the full story.” “Oranto is only required to pay US$1.25 million per block within 120 days of ratification,” he said. “The remaining US$10 million has no firm deadline. It is tied to seismic work that experts believe could take years possibly until the next election.” 

He warned that this loophole allows Oranto to delay or avoid payments entirely. “This is not a serious commitment. This exposes Liberia to financial and operational risks that we cannot afford,” he stated. Addressing suggestions that the Senate should simply amend the agreement, Senator Konneh was unequivocal: “There is nothing to fix. The contract is fundamentally flawed.” He continued: “Given Oranto’s history of failure in Liberia and across Africa, the weak fiscal terms, and the total lack of credible financial guarantees, approving this contract would be reckless. 

The only responsible option is to reject it.” Senator Konneh reaffirmed his support for President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.’s efforts to attract investment in the petroleum sector but emphasized that Liberia must partner only with companies that have proven technical capacity, financial strength, and operational integrity. “We must negotiate stronger contracts with companies that can actually deliver results,” he said. “Liberia deserves partners who will explore, invest, and create long-term value not companies with a history of abandoning projects.” Senator Konneh concluded with a clear appeal to his colleagues: “I call on the Liberian Senate to reject the Oranto Petroleum contract and send it back to the Executive for withdrawal. Liberia must chart a better, more responsible path for developing our oil and gas resources.”