Houston, Texas — The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Somalia joined national energy leaders at the International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy (IMAGE) to advance partnerships with U.S. oil and gas companies. Ambassador Dahir Hassan Abdi accompanied H.E. Minister Dahir Shire of the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Eng. Abdulkadir Mohamud, CEO of the Somali Petroleum Authority, for a series of strategic engagements aimed at strengthening Somalia–U.S. energy security.
Strategic Industry Engagements
Drilliant Energy for Exploration & Drilling Technology
The delegation met Jarryd Landry of Drilliant Energy, which provides advanced exploration drilling systems currently operating in Gabon and Ghana. Drilliant expressed interest in expanding into Somalia, emphasizing efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and safety in frontier environments. Discussions focused on how cutting-edge American technology can support Somalia’s early-stage development and data acquisition needs.
Geoscience–Finance Integration (Technical Advisory)
In a consultation with David Strassner, a seasoned geologist with extensive Gulf of Mexico experience and a strong background in energy finance, the team explored how robust geologic work must be paired with bankable financial structures. Emphasis was placed on de-risking exploration through proven methods and designing investment frameworks attractive to international partners from the outset, insights directly applicable to Somalia’s offshore potential.
X-Fuel (Oilfield Services & Logistics)
The team also engaged Reese Salassi of X-Fuel, discussing critical service needs for an emerging basin—drilling support, logistics, and equipment supply. Both sides agreed to continue exploring how U.S. services expertise can bolster the Somali Petroleum Authority’s objectives and build local capacity to ensure safe, efficient operations as activity scales.
Somalia’s Investment Proposition
Speaking ahead of a technical presentation on Somalia’s prospectivity, the Minister emphasized resilience, geology shared with the broader East African margin, and a step-by-step rebuilding that now enables investment. Minister Dahir Shire highlighted:
- Reforms & institutions: Restoration of governance, the 2020 establishment of the Somali Petroleum Authority, and issuance of the first new offshore licenses in 2022.
- Geological potential: Six large sedimentary basins; promising offshore prospects in Obbia, Coriole, and Juba, benchmarked against proven plays in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya.
- Data readiness: A robust dataset including 48,000 km of 2D and new 3D seismic offshore, strengthening prospect definition.
- Licensing timeline: Preparation for a new offshore licensing round in 2026.
Framing Somalia as “a highly prospective, untapped energy frontier—open for business,” the Minister invited international E&P companies and national oil companies to engage, review data, and explore partnerships.
The Partnership Somalia Invites
Somalia proposes a practical pathway for U.S. partners: open data engagement; HSE-anchored operations; local content and workforce development; and predictable, transparent licensing. With reforms in place and preparations for 2026 under way, Somalia welcomes technical consultations, services roundtables, and finance-meets-geoscience workshops to convert interest into investment.
“We are open, ready, and full of opportunity.”
H.E. Dahir Shire Mohamed, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources
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