Liberia, June 8 -- The Liberian Senate has endorsed a proposal to amend the country's petroleum law to clarify jurisdictional responsibilities and prevent future disputes among institutions overseeing the sector.

The decision followed a high-level hearing involving the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), the Liberia Petroleum Regulatory Authority (LPRA), the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, aimed at resolving a public dispute over authority in the petroleum sector.

The controversy emerged after NOCAL signed offshore survey agreements with GeoPartners Limited and Searcher Geodata UK Ltd. to conduct geological and geophysical surveys in the Liberia and Harper Basins. Civil society organization Liberia Early...