CAPITOL HILL, Nov. 21 -- A Senate public hearing aimed at scrutinizing two new petroleum agreements submitted by the Executive Branch has raised fresh concerns over Liberia's dealings in the oil sector-specifically, the lack of clarity surrounding Oranto Petroleum's past operations, tax obligations, and the true value Liberia earned when the company flipped its oil blocks to Chevron more than a decade ago.

Lawmakers questioned how oil blocks previously leased to Nigerian businessman Prince Arthur Eze for a reported US$250,000 were later flipped to Chevron for over US$200 million-with little to no benefit to the Liberian people. Despite that troubled history, Oranto has again been selected-alongside TotalEnergies-to operate eight offshore...