Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — A Canadian-owned company has begun drilling for energy
in war-torn Somalia.

Horn Petroleum Corp. has spudded a well in northern Somalia in the first
such project in the African country in more than 20 years. Horn, a majority
stake of which is owned by Canada’s Africa Oil Corp., intends to drill the Shabeel-1
wildcat well to a depth of 3,800 meters.

“The commencement of drilling in the Dharoor Valley block is a major
milestone in the evaluation of the oil potential of Northern Somalia,” Horn
president David Grellman said on Jan. 16.

“These wells are the first to be drilled into the deep areas of the rift basins and will be key to unlocking
the hydrocarbon potential of this unexplored prospective trend.”

Executives said Horn has drilled two wells in Puntland, including
Shabeel North. They said drilling and evaluation of the wells would take up
to six months.

  Africa Oil Corp., Canadian firm drilling for Somalian oil: First such venture in decades, Dharoor Valley, Horn Petroleum Corp., Puntland, Shabeel North