據美國鉆井網站2020年3月8日報道，索馬里聯邦共和國石油和礦產資源部日前與由荷蘭皇家殼牌公司和美國埃克森美孚公司組成的合資企業商定了一個初步路線圖，重點是在索馬里海上進行油氣勘探和開發作業。這份路線圖將根據索馬里在2月初通過的《石油法》的規定把多年的特許權轉換為產量分成協議。

去年6月，殼牌公司和埃克森美孚公司向索馬里聯邦政府支付了170萬美元，用于支付其歷史地表租金和海上區塊的其他承付款項。根據收入分成協議，這170萬美元在索馬里的成員國之間分配。索馬里石油部表示，這一分配過程是未來勘探和生產資金如何處理的一個模式。

索馬里石油和礦產資源部長阿卜迪拉希德·穆罕默德·艾哈邁德在一份聲明中說：“我很高興我們與殼牌公司和埃克森美孚公司的合資企業就初步路線圖達成了一致意見。這給了我們信心，相信我們有能力進一步勘探任何海上碳氫化合物的潛力。我們與殼牌公司和埃克森美孚公司的合資企業有著長期的合作關系，我們期待這種合作關系能夠繼續下去，因為我們正在尋求為我們的經濟增長提供所需的基石。”

索馬里新《石油法》規定，索馬里的石油和天然氣儲量將完全屬于索馬里人民。《石油法》還加入了一項收入分成協協議，以確保收入將通過聯邦國家在索馬里人民之間分配，并造福于未來幾代人。

在評論新《石油法》的批準時，艾哈邁德補充說：“國際勘探和開發巨頭的機會是巨大的，索馬里有潛力成為東非近海最重要的碳氫化合物產地之一。為打開這一戰略機會的立法進程已經完成。我們現在非常期待與國際合作伙伴達成產量分成協議。”

李峻 編譯自 美國鉆井網站

原文如下：

Shell, Exxon Team up on Offshore Exploration in Somalia

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources of the Federal Republic of Somalia has agreed on an initial roadmap with the Shell/Exxon joint venture focused on offshore exploration and development. The roadmap will now convert years-old concessions into Production Sharing Agreements under the provisions of the Petroleum Law, which was ratified in early February.

Last June Shell and Exxon paid $1.7 million to Mogadishu, Somalia, for its costs from historical surface rentals and other incurred obligations on the offshore blocks. That money was then distributed among Somalia’s Member States according to the revenue sharing agreement. The ministry said the distribution process was a model for how future funds from exploration and production would be handled.

“I am delighted we have agreed on an initial roadmap with the Shell/Exxon joint venture,” said Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed in a statement. “This gives us confidence in our ability to explore any offshore hydrocarbon potential further. We have a long relationship with the Shell/Exxon joint venture and look forward to this continuing as we seek to provide the building blocks we need to grow our economy.”

The Petroleum Law includes provisions that the country’s oil and gas will belong exclusively to the Somali people. It also embeds a revenue-sharing agreement that ensures revenues will be distributed among the Somali people through the Federal States, and for the benefit of future generations.

Commenting on the ratification of the Petroleum Law, the Minister added: “The opportunities for the international exploration and development majors are enormous, with Somalia having the potential to become one of the most significant hydrocarbon plays in offshore East Africa. The legislative process has completed to open up this strategic opportunity. We now much look forward to moving to agreeing Production Sharing Agreements with our international partners.”