The proposed Buchanan shorebase addresses a gap NOCAL identifies in Liberia’s petroleum operations. Earlier drilling relied on services supplied from neighboring countries, taking associated business and employment abroad. The agreement with LADOL seeks to establish those supporting activities in Liberia. Its immediate significance rests in preparation rather than completed infrastructure. A feasibility study must examine marine access, utilities, engineering conditions and commercial viability. Those findings will shape the proposed supporting facility and the partners’ definitive agreements. Local jobs and contracts remain objectives of the announced partnership. For Buchanan, the project offers a potential connection between offshore exploration and onshore economic activity. As THE ANALYST reports, pundits say its planned development will test how those stated local participation ambitions translate into operations.
LONDON, United Kingdom — The National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL) and the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) announced on October 3, 2026, that they had signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) for the construction and operation of a logistics base in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.
According to a release from NOCAL’s Public Affairs Unit, the partnership focused on local capacity building and retaining economic benefits in Liberia’s oil and gas sector.
Feasibility study and technical partnership
According to NOCAL, this partnership designates LADOL, a leading logistics and industrial free zone developer with extensive experience operating one of Africa’s largest shorebases in Lagos, Nigeria, as the technical lead partner to NOCAL in funding and conducting the feasibility study, coordinating the technical engineering design, constructing and operating the shorebase.
The feasibility study is expected to commence in the next 45 days and last for six months and will cover critical areas including land area assessment, waterfront and marine access, utilities planning, commercial and operational viability, geotechnical and topographical surveys, and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) scoping.
NOCAL explained that the Buchanan Shorebase Project is a direct response to a critical lesson learned during Liberia’s last drilling program. During that campaign, a significant portion of essential oilfield services including waste disposal, logistics, supply chain management, and specialized technical support were sourced from neighboring countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal. This resulted in substantial economic benefits and job opportunities being realized outside of Liberia.
In anticipation of accelerated drilling campaigns expected from petroleum agreements already signed by the Government of Liberia, with additional concessions to be signed in the future, this project is a massive endeavor in response to the needs of international oil companies.
Retaining services and jobs locally
“We are determined to correct that narrative as we prepare for our next set of drilling programs,” said Fabian M. Lai, President and CEO of the NOCAL.
He asserted: “This partnership with LADOL is about more than just building a logistic hub for Liberia. It is about anchoring the value chain of our petroleum sector firmly in Liberian soil. Our goal is to ensure that the jobs, the contracts, the training, and the ancillary services that support our petroleum operations are performed by Liberian companies and create opportunities for Liberian citizens right here in Liberia.”
The release stated that the agreement outlines a clear path for LADOL’s role as a technical partner. LADOL will partner with NOCAL in constructing and operating the shorebase. Furthermore, NOCAL and LADOL will serve as the exclusive developer, operator, and maintenance provider for the facility, with LADOL bringing its proven model of success to Liberia.
Operation oversight and definitive agreements
“This agreement is a testament to our confidence in Liberia’s oil and gas potential and our commitment to fostering local content development across West Africa,” said Sir Oladipo Ladi Jadesimi, Executive Chairman of LADOL.
“We are not just investors; we are partners in building a sustainable future for Liberia’s oil and gas industry. By establishing this shorebase, we can help ensure that Liberian businesses and workers are the primary beneficiaries of the country’s natural resources.”
NOCAL noted that the JDA includes provisions for a Joint Steering Committee to oversee the project’s progress and a commitment to complete definitive project agreements. The parties have also agreed to strict confidentiality and non-circumvention clauses to protect the integrity of the partnership.
NOCAL mandate
NOCAL described itself as a statutory public corporation of the Government of Liberia. It represents the state interest in all petroleum agreements and is responsible for the promotion, exploration, and development of the country’s oil and gas resources.
LADOL operations
The release described LADOL as a leading indigenous African company providing integrated logistics and engineering solutions to the oil and gas industry. Its flagship facility in Lagos, founded in 2000, is a major hub for offshore operations in West Africa.