Somalia

CIA Factbook
Political rights and civil liberties (Freedom House)
Arabic-English online dictionary
Travel and accommodation

"Australia Police Inquiry of Mining Firms Should Extend" (Garowe online)

Source: CIA Factbook

Maps and images

• Somalia Cities,Towns, Airports, Maps, Images
• Somalia Image-1
• Somalia Image-2
• Somalia Minerals

Oil and Natural Gas

Click HERE for an overview

Somalia has no proven oil reserves, and only 200 billion cubic feet of proven natural gas reserves. Somalia currently has no hydrocarbon production. Oil seeps were first identified by Italian and British geologists during the colonial era. Exploration activities were focused in northern Somalia, and several foreign firms, including Agip, Amoco (now part of BP), Chevron, Conoco and Phillips, held concessions in the area. The firms all declared force majeure following the collapse of the central government.
Exploration activity remains hindered by the internal security situation, and the multiple sovereignty issues.

• Natural gas proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)

• In February 2001, Total signed an exploration agreement with the Transitional National Government (TNG). The twelve-month agreement granted Total the rights to explore in the Indian Ocean off southern Somalia. Hassan Farah, TNG's Minister for Water and Mineral Resources, stated that the government would provide security during the exploration activities. Several factional leaders denounced the agreement, and stated that the TNG did not have the authority to sanction the agreement, nor the power to guarantee the safety and security of the exploration operations.

• In May 2001, Somaliland signed an agreement with U.K.-registered Rovagold Ltd and two Chinese firms, Continental Petroleum Engineering Company (CPEC) and China Petrochemical Cooperation (CPC), for the right to explore for oil.
  

• Dubai-based Zarara Energy also signed an exploration agreement with Somaliland. The Somaliland government has said it will honor, until they expire, the existing contracts foreign companies signed with the Barre regime that are in their territory. None of the firms have resumed operations in Somaliland.

• Range Resources Corporation (NYSE: RRC) is exploring in Puntland. See video.
  

Uranium

Known occurrences at Alio Ghelle;Jach Brava (metasomatite) and Dusa Mareb (surficial).