National oil corporation Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) said today its unit Petronas Carigali Overseas Sdn Bhd had signed two reconnaissance contracts in Morocco.

The agreements with Moroccan national oil company Office National de Recherches et d'Explorations Petrolleres (Onarep) involve onshore areas in the Missour Basin and the offshore Rabat Sale Haute Mer area.

Under the terms of the contract, Petronas Carigali will carry out field work and associated geological and geophysical works, Petronas said in a statement.

In 2001, Petronas secured a 42.5 percent working interest in the Tiznit Block, offshore of Morocco, while unit Energy Africa has a 26.67 percent interest in another offshore Moroccan block in Cap Draa Haute Mer Permit.

Energy Africa is a subsidiary of South Africa's Engen Ltd, which is 80 percent owned by Petronas.