Norway’s DNO ASA has been granted a 2-year extension on the term of its production-sharing agreement for the 12,000-sq-km onshore Block SL18, 120 km east of Hargeysa, in Somaliland. The company says the first exploration period will now end Nov. 8, 2017.
The partners have completed field survey and environmental assessment studies over the block, and will initiate a planned seismic acquisition program once the Somaliland government has implemented a planned oil protection unit (OPU) to support the international oil companies operating in Somaliland, DNO says. The OPU is expected to be operational in 2015.
DNO, meanwhile, says it will resume a development program focused on drilling water wells to provide local communities in the areas covered by Block SL18 with potable water, security conditions permitting.
DNO operates Block SL18 with 50% interest. The company reached an initial PSA last year (OGJ Online, Apr. 23, 2013).
