Fiscal Terms & Licensing

A National Institution Leading Morocco's Energy and Mining Development

Fiscal Terms & Licensing

A Trusted Partner Committed to Your Financial Success

Fiscal Terms & Licensing

A National Institution Leading Morocco's Energy and Mining Development

Fiscal Terms & Licensing

A Trusted Partner Committed to Your Financial Success

A Stable and Transparent Framework for Investment

01. Clear Hydrocarbon Code
Morocco’s hydrocarbon activities are governed by a dedicated legal framework covering reconnaissance, exploration and exploitation. This provides operators with a clear basis for investment and long-term engagement.
book
Hydrocarbon Code
law
Law n°21-90
team
Role of the State and ONHYM
02. ATTRACTIVE FISCAL TERMS

Morocco offers attractive fiscal terms designed to encourage exploration investment and support the development of hydrocarbon discoveries.

pie chart
Maximum State
interest share
25%
%
Corporate income tax
exemption on production
10 consecutive
years
badge
Competitive framework for upstream investors
03. STREAMLINED LICENSING PROCESS
The licensing process provides a structured route for petroleum companies to move from initial engagement to reconnaissance, exploration and, in case of success, exploitation activities.
04. ONHYM AS STRATEGIC PARTNER
Investors can rely on standardized contractual documents that support transparency, efficiency and consistency throughout the partnership process.
doc
Petroleum Agreement Model
download
doc
Association Contract Model
download
doc
Reconnaissance Agreement
download
doc
Data Access Request Form
download
%
Maximum State
interest share
25%
01 · Legal Foundation

A Clear Hydrocarbon Code

Morocco’s hydrocarbon activities are governed by a dedicated legal framework covering reconnaissance, exploration and exploitation — giving operators a clear, durable basis for long-term engagement.

Stable & Transparent Governance.

The State owns the hydrocarbon resources; ONHYM represents it and manages the public domain.

Resource Stewardship & Licensing.

The State safeguards national resource sovereignty and grants exploration and production rights in accordance with international best practices.

Investor Partnership & Promotion.

ONHYM promotes Morocco's upstream potential, supports investors throughout the project lifecycle, and facilitates access to exploration opportunities.

Technical Expertise & Data Access.

ONHYM provides high-quality geological and geophysical data, technical insights, and partnership opportunities to accelerate investment decisions.

25%

Government share

Fixed and predictable across every phase — reconnaissance, exploration and exploitation.
02 · ATTRACTIVE FISCAL TERMS

Built to Encourage Exploration
& Reward Discovery

📄
Corporate tax

Common corporate tax rate applies.

Exemption up to 10 years from the date of first commercial production.
📑
Surtaxe
None
🚚
VAT & customs duties
Exemption

On all equipment, materials, products and services necessary for exploration and exploitation operations.

💧
Royalties
ONSHORE & OFFSHORE ≤ 200 M
10% OIL
5% GAS

First 300,000 t of oil & 300 Mm³ of gas per exploitation concession are exempt.

OFFSHORE > 200 M WATER DEPTH
7% OIL
3.5% GAS

First 500,000 t of oil & 500 Mm³ of gas per exploitation concession are exempt.

💵
Surface rental

~US$ 100 / exploration permit — payable on permit application and on application for extension.

~US$ 100 / sq-km — payable per year.

🏢
Business & urban tax
Exemption
💰
Profits & dividends
Freely transferable Guaranteed and without limitation.
03 · STREAMLINED LICENSING PROCESS

From First Engagement to Production in Three Phases

PHASE 1

Reconnaissance License

Entry point for early-stage evaluation

DURATION
1 yr renewable
WORK PROGRAM
G&G seismic acquisition
GOVERNMENT SHARE
25%
PHASE 2

Exploration Permit

Petroleum Agreement — ONHYM acting on behalf of the State

DURATION
8 yrs divided in 2–3 periods
WORK PROGRAM
G&G seismic acquisition · exploration & appraisal wells
ACREAGE
≤ 2,000 km² per permit · up to 10,000 km² onshore / 20,000 km² offshore
GOVERNMENT SHARE
25%
PHASE 3

Exploitation Concession

Long-term development & production

DURATION
25 yrs + 10 yr extension
WORK PROGRAM
Development & production wells
GOVERNMENT SHARE
25%
04 · ONHYM AS STRATEGIC PARTNER

Standardized Contractual Documents

doc

Petroleum Agreement Model

3.2 MB • PDF • Open access
download
doc

Reconnaissance Agreement

1.8 MB • PDF • Open access
download
%
Maximum State
interest share
25%
doc

Association Contract Model

3.2 MB • PDF • Open access
download
doc

Data Access Request Form

1.8 MB • PDF • Open access
download
%
Maximum State
interest share
25%