Somalia lays out scaled-back maiden offshore round

Somalia has unveiled acreage under the Horn of Africa nation's maiden offshore round, which has suffered a series of delays.

Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed has presented seven blocks for suitors under the First Offshore Licensing Round, which has been scaled back from previous ambitions.

Smaller round

Fifteen licences were originally touted but that number has now been reduced to seven, comprising blocks 152, 153, 164, 165, 177, 178 and 204, all located off central Somalia.