Somalia's oil industry

"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, Chevron, Conoco and Phillips, held concessions in the area. The firms all declared force majeure following the collapse of the central government." &mdash;MBendi.

Related SourceWatch Resources

 * oil industry
 * China's oil industry
 * Sudan's oil industry

1993

 * Norm Dixon, "Invasion of Somalia a boon for big oil," GreenLeft (Australia), 1993.
 * Mark Fineman, "The Oil Factor in Somalia," Los Angeles Times (RangeResources.com (Australia)), January 18, 1993: "Four American petroleum giants had agreements with the African nation before its civil war began. They could reap big rewards if peace is restored."
 * Stephen R. Shalom, "Gravy Train: Feeding the Pentagon by Feeding Somalia," ZMag, February 1993; revised November 1993.
 * Christopher Whalen, "In Somalia, the Saudi Connection," Washington Post, October 17, 2003.

2001

 * "Somalia and TotalFinaElf sign oil exploration agreement," Associated Press (Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections), February 13, 2001.
 * "Demonstrators protest exploration deal in Somalia - TotalFinaElf contract to look for oil meets opposition," World Oil, March 2001.
 * Kalif, "US interests in Somalia," Race and History.com, December 6, 2001.

2005

 * F. William Engdahl, "The oil factor in Bush's 'war on tyranny'," Asia Times, March 3, 2005.
 * Abdifatah, "Somalia welcomes oil interest, says no China talks," Reuters (Hamarey.com), August 21, 2005.
 * "Somalia welcomes oil interest," engineeringnews.co.za (Alexander's Gas & Oil Connections), August 22, 2005.
 * "Somalia warns against oil deals," FIN24.co.za, August 28, 2005.
 * "Somalia Says Range Resources Mineral And Oil Rights Deal Is Invalid," Resource Investor (The Somaliland Times), October 18, 2005. re Perth, Australia-based exploration company Range Resources, Ltd.

2006

 * Tom Porteous, "Two Problems Africa Could Do Without," Agence Global, January 21, 2006; "Africa's Twin Curses," TomPaine.commonsense, January 23, 2006.
 * Jamie Freed, "Range teams start hunting in Somalia," The Age (Australia), February 28, 2006.
 * Editorial: "Somalia: Risky business, risking peace. Is the risky business of exploring in anarchic Somalia risking the peace in Puntland?" Garowe Online.com, April 23, 2006: Range Resources announced April 21 "that they received a 'letter of intent' from the Korean National Oil Company (KNOC) to partake in the research and development of northeastern Somalia’s potential oil and mineral reserves. This move, however, comes as the cloud of controversy over the legitimacy and legality of the 'Puntland Agreement' has led to several skirmishes between the Puntland authorities and local clan militias opposed to exploration."
 * Elizabeth A. Kennedy, "China signs oil deal with Kenya," Associated Press (Saylac.com), April 28, 2006: "Kenya is just beginning to drill its first exploratory wells on the borders of Sudan and Somalia and in coastal waters. But no oil has been produced yet and there has been no formal estimate of the reserves possible."
 * "Chinese President Finalizes Kenya Oil Deal," Associated Press (CBS News), April 28, 2006.