Eni SpA said Oct. 17 that it signed a contract for exploration and development rights for offshore block A5-A in the Northern Zambezi Basin approximately 1,500 kilometers northeast of Maputo, Mozambique.

The block was awarded to an Eni-led consortium following the fifth competitive licensing round launched by the Republic of Mozambique and covers 5,133 square kilometers at water depths between 300 meters and 1,800 meters.

The Block A5-A consortium is composed of Eni subsidiary Eni Mozambico SpA with a 59.5% stake, Sasol Ltd. with a 25.5% interest and Mozambican state company Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos E.P with the remaining 15% interest.