Norwegian seismic player Spectrum has entered into a multi-client master cooperation agreement with the federal government of Somalia.

The agreement allows Spectrum to acquire approximately 28,000 km of long offset 2D seismic data offshore south Somalia in order to image subsurface structures. The new acquisition has been specifically designed to complement 20,000 km of existing seismic that was acquired in 2014.

Together, these seismic surveys should allow the in-depth study of hydrocarbon prospectivity offshore Somalia, which lies in close proximity to major discoveries on the East African margin.

At the signing ceremony, the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mohamed Mukhtar Ibrahim, said: “This historic seismic data agreement will be the resumption of the exploration program of the hydrocarbon reserves of our country, which will be a turning point for the economic development of our nation.”

Omar Abdirashid A. Sharmarke, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, stated: “Seismic data can lead to good decision-making and a guided exploration strategy.”