Morocco has signed a two-year reconnaissance contract with Conocophillips for onshore exploration in Mesorif, Northern Morocco, according to Morocco World News.

The agreement permits Conocophillips to conduct hydrocarbon explorations, including geological and geophysical studies, as well as the acquisition of 2D seismic data during the second year of the contract.

“This signature marks a new entry for Morocco and Conocophillips since the fusion of the two entities of Conoco and Phillips in 2001. Each one of these companies had led exploration works in Morocco between 1970 and 2000,” Morocco’s National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM) announced on its website.

This year has been a big year for Morocco on the exploration front. In March, SDX Energy’s BMK-1 well in Morocco yielded commercial amounts of gas from both of its upper and lower regions of Guebbas. Furthermore, in January SDX also encountered commercial quantities of natural gas at its OYF-2 well in Morocco.

The American oil company Conocophillips Company is one of the world’s largest independent exploration and production companies in terms of production and proven reserves.