ExxonMobil said it will begin drilling its first exploratory well off the coast of Liberia next month.
The company said it was not known how long or expensive the drilling process would be.
Clarence Moniba, deputy chief of staff to Liberia’s preident, said the project would help to create jobs for people in the country and help the economy is a search for commercial oil is successful.
Liberia does not produce oil unlike its eastern neighbour, Ivory Coast, which produces about 53,000 barrels a day, and Ghana, the next country along the West African coast, which pumps about 100,000bpd.