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The Daily Insight Hub

Does Somalia have petroleum?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on January 12, 2026

The country, which shares the geological structure of the Arabian peninsula, “undoubtedly has petroleum resources,” says Hussein. “We have to start exploration. Somalia’s first-ever licensing round for up to seven exploration blocks opened on 4 August and runs until 12 March 2021.

When did Somalia discover oil?

1950/60s
Oil and gas exploration started in Somalia in the 1950/60s, with a total of 70 wells drilled, 80% of which were onshore. Many major companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, Texaco, and Shell, were active in the region at the time.

How many barrels of oil are there in Somalia?

Despite this, Mr Ahmed has reason to hope that investment will begin to flow into Somalia. Seismic surveys conducted by British companies Soma Oil & Gas and Spectrum Geo suggest the country has promising offshore oil reserves of up to 100 billion barrels.

Where is the oil in Somalia?

Oil exploration in Puntland, an autonomous region in northeastern Somalia which is a federal state, began in the mid-2000s as a series of negotiations between the provincial administration and foreign oil companies. By 2012, exploratory wells established in the area yielded the first signs of crude oil.

Does Somalia have oil?

Somaliland is a highly prospective, onshore exploration province, and Genel is targeting resources of over two billion barrels of oil. Onshore Somaliland is a relatively unexplored region, with few exploration wells drilled.

Does Somalia have giraffe?

The reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), also known as the Somali giraffe, is a species of giraffe native to the Horn of Africa. It lives in Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and northern Kenya. There are approximately 8,500 individuals living in the wild.

Does Somalia have uranium?

The main uranium deposits are in Galmudug FMS in central Somalia. Somalia has an estimated 10,200 tonnes of uranium reserves, with 7,600 tonnes of it potentially commercially recoverable, though at relatively high expense (IUREP, 1983. (1983).

Are there Christians in Somaliland?

Christianity in Somaliland is a small minority in numbers ranging from 100 to 200 Christians; where Somaliland has very few Christians, consisting of a small number of locals who are clandestinely committed to Christianity and expatriates who practice their religion openly. The country’s Christians are foreigners.

Is Somalia rich or poor?

Somalia is one of the poorest countries in the world, with the 2012 Human Development Index putting it among the five least-developed of 170 countries. The poverty rate is currently 73 percent. Seventy percent of the population in Somalia is under the age of 30 and the life expectancy is as low as 55 percent.

How old is the country of Somalia?

The Republic of Somalia was formed in 1960 by the federation of a former Italian colony and a British protectorate. Mohamed Siad Barre (Maxamed Siyaad Barre) held dictatorial rule over the country from October 1969 until January 1991, when he was overthrown in a bloody civil war waged by clan-based guerrillas.