The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) has demarcated 15 blocks to be offered in its controversial offshore licensing round, with technical partner Spectrum Geo estimating the acreage could hold 30 billion barrels of potential oil resources.

The blocks are located off four states — Jubbaland, South West, Hirshabelle and Galmudug — and were revealed for the first time at a roadshow in London last week that attracted representatives from oil companies, including BP, Anadarko and Turkish Petroleum.