Ministry of Energy and Minerals (Somaliland)

The Ministry of Energy and Minerals (Somali: Wasaaradda Tamarta iyo Macdanta Soomaaliland) (Arabic: وزارة الطاقة والمعادن) is one of the governmental bodies of Somaliland. The ministry has the function of developing and implementing policies related to electricity, minerals, petroleum and petroleum products, the current minister is Abdillahi Farah Abdi.[1][2][3][4][5]

Ministry of Energy & Minerals Republic of Somaliland
Wasaaradda Tamarta & Macdanta JSL

Ministry Building
Agency overview
JurisdictionGovernment of Somaliland
HeadquartersHargeisa, Maroodi Jeh
Minister responsible
Websitemoem-sl.com

Scope of activities

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Energy Sector Operations

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  • DFID Somaliland is initiating a new five-year programme (2014-2019) to improve access to electricity with the introduction of Mini hybrid grids in Somaliland. The programme will be implemented in two phases[6]
  • ADRA Somaliland is launching a new three-year project (2015-2017) to contribute to poverty alleviation, fragility reduction, and climate change mitigation for rural and peri-urban people in Somaliland.

Somaliland Oil Blocks

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Somaliland Oil Blocks.
 
Oil and Gas exploration activities in Odwayne, Togdheer region.

In August 2012, Genel was awarded an exploration licence for onshore blocks SL-10-B and SL-13 in Somaliland, with a 75% working interest in both. Genel extended its presence in November 2012 with the acquisition of 50% participating interest in the Odwayne Production Sharing Agreement which covers blocks SL-6, SL-7, SL-10A.[7]

Onshore Somaliland is a relatively unexplored region, with few exploration wells drilled. The total size of the blocks is approximately equivalent to the entire Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Genel took the opportunity because of encouraging indications including onshore oil seeps and existing geological data showing favourable conditions for hydrocarbons to have accumulated in numerous large tilted fault blocks and sub-basins. In addition, the basins of Somaliland were contiguous to Yemen prior to the opening of the Gulf of Aden in the Oligocene-Miocene - similar sedimentary sequences and structural styles are expected in Somaliland.[8][9]

The ministry are targeting resources of over 1 billion barrels (160 million cubic metres) in blocks SL-10B and SL-13. The Odewayne block has a similar resource potential to this, targeting in order of 1 billion bbl (160 million m3).

Gravity and aeromag has been acquired and interpreted over the entire 40,000 square km acreage.

Oslo, 8 September 2014 - DNO ASA, the Norwegian oil and gas operator, today announced that it has been granted a two-year extension of the term of its production sharing agreement for Block SL18 in Somaliland. The first exploration period will now end on 8 November 2017.[6]

Block SL18, in which DNO has a 50 percent stake as operator, is a frontier exploration block. The partners have completed field survey and environmental assessment studies over the block and will initiate a planned seismic acquisition program once the Government of Somaliland has put in place a planned Oil Protection Unit (OPU) to support the international oil companies operating in Somaliland. The OPU is expected to be operational in 2015.[10]

In the interim, security conditions permitting, DNO will resume a development program focused on drilling water wells to provide local communities in the areas covered by Block SL18 with potable water.

Ministers

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Minister Period Ref
Kassim Sheikh Yusuf 5 July 2003 - 27 July 2010
Hussein Abdi Dualeh 27 July 2010 - 14 December 2017
Jama Mohamoud Egal 14 December 2017 – 02 September 2021
Abdillahi Farah Abdi 02 September 2021 - present

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Somaliland Ministry of Energy and Minerals holds One day Minerals Coordination Meeting". Somaliland Standard. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. ^ "UK invests in renewable energy in Somaliland to address high costs of electricity". Africa Business Communities. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Will the Possible Discovery of Oil in Somaliland be a curse or Blessing?". Horn Diplomat. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  4. ^ "Somaliland: Ministry of Energy and Minerals Awards Top Performing Personnel". MENAFN. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Somaliland: Ministry of Energy and Minerals concludes the third phase of Oil exploration activities in Sahil Region". Somaliland Standard. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  6. ^ a b "DNO ASA: DNO Granted Somaliland Extension". DNO. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Overview of Exploration and Appraisal Assets of Operations in Somaliland/". Genel Energy. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  8. ^ "Somaliland: A Year at the Ministry of Energy and Minerals". Somaliland Sun. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Somaliland Positive Of Joining Oil Producing Nations". Busi Week. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  10. ^ "Wasaaradda Tamarta Oo Ka War-bixisay Dedaalo ay u Gashay Soo Saarista Khayraadka Dalka". Wargeyska Dawan (in Somali). Retrieved 13 April 2020.
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