Taoudeni Basin

[2] The Taoudeni is the largest sedimentary basin in Northwest Africa, formed during the Middle to Late Proterozoic.

It continued to subside until the Middle Paleozoic, when Hercynian deformation and uplift occurred.

[4] The government of Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world, is eager to create an oil industry.

[5] Companies that have been exploring in the area include Baraka Petroleum, Sonatrach, Eni, Total S.A., Woodside and CNPC.

[6] However, the remote location and harsh environment of the Sahara Desert would make extraction expensive.