By: Yusuf Mohamed Hasan
HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – After Genel Energy the Norwegian DNO has become the second foreign company to start implementation of its oil exploration and extraction contract with the Somaliland government.
This development follows the official announce by DNO officials made during a joint press briefing with the Somaliland ministries of foreign affairs and Energy at the Hargeisa presidency after consultations with President Silanyo and other government officials.
“Somalilanders are looking forward towards working with you for the betterment of our country and we can assure you that all facilitation shall be made available for your operations” said the foreign minister Mohamed Behi Yonis
According to the minister of energy and minerals DNO international an Oslo-based Norwegian Company entered into a Production Sharing Contract covering Block SL 18 onshore Somaliland in Washington DC during an official working tour by H.E Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo in April 2013.
“DNO International officials who are here to formally launch contractual implementation at their SL Block 18 have already established offices in Hargeisa and at the block site as well as introduce their country manager Mohamed Jama Diriye” informed Eng Hussein Abdi Duale the Somaliland energy Minister
While revealing that DNO holds a 100 percent paying interest in the license with Somaliland holding a 10 percent carried interest, Eng Duale said that an Oman Company has acquired some shares from the Norwegians and shall be involved in activities from day one.
This is the first time for the country to see direct engagement through Investment by an Oman company” Said the energy minister as he gave the podium to DNO whose Block SL 18 covers an area of 12,000 square kilometers
“From now henceforth we shall be permanently based in the country which I have now visited twice” said Magnum Norman who is a senior DNO international executive adding, “We truly hope that our oil exploration and extraction activities will enable us to help the people and government of Somaliland”
According to Mr. Norman who introduced his Omani counterparts DNO shall not only engage in oil and Gas only but shall also pursue the exploration of the abundant minerals that the republic of Somaliland is known to posses.
Though the name of the Omani company partnering DNO was not mentioned its CEO Mohamed Barawaani informed that they are not only interested in business with Somaliland but the establishment of a people to people cooperation as well as cultural exchanges between the two friendly Muslim countries.
The DNO launches comes a few days after Genel Energy resumed its suspend operations and the addition of Yemeni based ANSA Wikfs into the oil and gas sector of Somaliland that is now contracted to Seven international and some local companies
Listen to the joint Somaliland DNO Press Briefing
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