by Uchenna Izundu International Editor   

LONDON, Apr. 11 2008 - The Somaliland government plans to launch an open bidding round later this year following preparation of 2D offshore seismic and onshore aeromagnetic data, according to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co.

The company, which collected the data, said that the area is "geologically analogous to Yemen where several oil fields have been discovered to date."

The company shot 5,100 km of 2D seismic, gravity, and magnetic data in shallow and deepwater areas. It plans to publish the information by the third quarter of 2008. Around 34,000 km of high resolution aeromagnetic data covering all known Somaliland petroleum basins also were gathered. The data should be available to clients by midyear.

The seismic and aeromagnetic programs will enable companies to identify leads, plays, and structural highs.