In July 2018, Grynberg Petroleum, a US based company, started considering the acquiring of some interest in the Bemolanga field.

The source rocks for the Bemolanga oil is believed to be the Karoo formation of the Middle Sakamena Shale.

The field was lifted to its present near surface location due to the renewed uplifting and seaward tilting of the island of Madagascar, which started in Late Cretaceous (Turonian) and continued throughout the Cenozoic era.

The hydrocarbons are found in the Isalo and Amboloando formations over an area of approximately 400 square kilometres (150 sq mi).

The prospective surface mining area is defined by wherever there is less than 40 metres (130 ft) depth to top oil sand.