Exploration/production activities are carried out in the sedimentary basins of Rio del Rey (producer since 1977) and Douala/Kribi-Campo (producer since 1997).

The award of oil contracts is done by calls for tender or by mutual agreement. When a company confirms its interest in the national oil and gas sector, after verification of its technical and financial capabilities, negotiations are opened with a view to concluding contracts for oil research and exploitation. Contracts are negotiated within an interministerial Commission coordinated by the SNH and comprising representatives of the ministries in charge of Mines, Economy, Finance, Trade and the Environment.

These contracts are negotiated in application of the Cameroonian Oil and Gas Codes and on the basis of the Standard Contract model of the International Association of Energy Negotiators (AIEN). They make it possible to negotiate three types of oil contracts recognized in the industry: Risk Service Contracts, Concession Contracts and Production Sharing Contracts.

Activities take place within the framework of investor associations formed by SNH, a state agent, and oil companies. In each association, one of the members, called an operator, is designated to lead activities in the field.