Discovery of Oil in Morocco, a hoax
Oil in Morocco
Morocco World News
New York, June 4, 2012
Contrary to what many Moroccan electronic news outlets, such as goud.ma, said on Tuesday, no deposits of oil have been discovered in Morocco.
On Tuesday evening, Moroccan internet users were surprised to learn that the Australian oil company Pura Vida Energy has allegedly discovered oil deposits in the region of Doukala, near Casablanca, with a potential of 30 billion barrels.
Yet, after searching on the website of the aforementioned company, it appeared that it has signed a partnership with Morocco’s authorities in order to explore the Mazagan Offshore Area, which, according to the company’s statement, has a potential of 3,2 billion barrels.
A Moroccan media professional expressed his frustration at the way some Moroccan news outlet dealt with this important issue.
In a phone conversation with MWN, Karim Dahbi, who works in the Casablanca-based news outlet said: “these outlets reported the discovery of oil in large quantities, stating Morocco to be the largest country with oil reserves in Africa. But in fact, the news was false and contains numerous errors.”
“What is this farce they are presenting? These unprofessional errors confirm the amateurish way in which some news outlets dealt with this matter.” He said
He enumerated four factual mistakes, which he stated as follows:
“No oil discovery has been confirmed in Morocco. What is confirmed is oil drilling only, which is taking place in multiple areas,” said Dahbi.
The news outlets reported the company name as ‘Einerdja Laura Vida’, while it’s real name is Pura Vida Energy,” he added.
He continued: “the deposits as estimated by the oil company are approximately 3.2 billion barrels, whereas media outlets reported 30 billion barrels.”
“The sources assumed the oil field to be in the coast of Aljadida, while the new site, where excavations are carried out is located in the south coasts of Tarfaya and called Mzakan.” He stated.
It is not clear who spread this rumor, but what is clear is that, against the backdrop of the announced hike in oil prices made by the Moroccan government this past Friday, people seemed to be looking for news that could cheer them up and give them better outlook regarding the future of their country.
This is not the first time that Moroccans are subject to this kind of rumors. In 2000, the Moroccan public awakened with the news that oil was discovered in the Talsint region, only to learn a few days later that the news was a hoax.