Somalia poised for oil-based transformation

The government hopes that promising geology and attractive fiscal terms will attract the interest of IOCs to develop its offshore oil discoveries

Great excitement and interest accompanied Somalia’s recent launch of its first offshore oil and gas exploration licensing round, with more than 250 energy companies and investors attending the virtual roadshow. Enthusiasm is being fuelled by promising geology, top quartile fiscal terms, reduced concern about security issues offshore and the backdrop of a much improved political and economic situation in Somalia. Somalia has adopted a refreshingly professional approach to the licensing round, with legislation that ensures the sanctity of contracts and is more transparent and investor friendly than many other established petroleum provinces around the world. Encouragingly, two of the largest i