UK based independent oil and gas company Harbour Energy has been named the operator of the Zama offshore oil project in Mexico.

The Zama partners, encompassing Pemex, Grupo Carso, and Talos Energy, agreed to the appointment, with the option to place key staff within Harbour’s project team, and the decision has since been approved by Mexico’s Ministry of Energy (SENER).

Discovered in 2017 and appraised in 2018–2019, the Zama oil field is believed to hold roughly 750 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in gross recoverable resources.

The project’s next phase will focus on finishing engineering and design in 2026, in preparation for a final investment decision (FID).

Harbour Energy Mexico managing director Gustavo Baquero said: “Harbour’s appointment as operator of the strategically important Zama project is testament to the trust that the Mexican government, including Pemex, places in Harbour and our partners, Grupo Carso and Talos Energy.

“Once onstream, Zama will contribute materially to Mexico’s domestic energy supply and to Harbour’s production levels.”

Harbour is involved in two major oil developments in Mexico, Zama and Kan.

In Zama, the company has a 32.22% stake, while Pemex owns 50.4% and Talos Energy Mexico holds 17.35%.

The Kan oil field, located southwest of Zama, is another development operated by Harbour, which holds a 70% interest, while TotalEnergies owns 30%.

It has approximately 150mmboe of gross resources.

Harbour recently announced a deal to acquire LLOG Exploration Company, giving it a fully operated, oil-focused offshore portfolio in the US.

The transaction was worth $3.2bn, comprising $2.7bn in cash and $500m in Harbour’s voting ordinary shares.

This step represents Harbour’s entry into the US Gulf of Mexico and complements its existing activities in Norway, the UK, Argentina, and Mexico.