Senegal launched its delayed licensing round this week, offering 12 offshore blocks, including deep-water and ultra-deepwater tracts, writes Barry Morgan.

The first phase of the round, setting out the legal framework, will run until late January, with companies able to assess acreage in the second phase, which will run from February to the end of July.

Roadshows to advertise the blocks will the held in London, Houston and the capital, Dakar.