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SouthWest Energy Ltd. is an oil exploration company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and registered in Hong Kong. Formed in 2005, it is the first and only Ethiopian company to successfully obtain an energy concession in Ethiopia.

History

Tewodros Ashenafi, who continues to serve as Chairman and CEO of the company, founded SouthWest Energy in 2005.

Blocks 9, 9A and 13

In December 2005, SouthWest Energy signed a production sharing agreement (PSA) with the Ethiopian government’s Ministry of Mines and Energy for blocks 9 and 13, covering 21,000 km2, in Ethiopia’s Ogaden Basin. In August 2008 SouthWest Energy was awarded a further 8,000 km2 PSA for block 9A, bringing the total acreage to 29,000 km2. SouthWest has invested $50 million into the region and has plans to commit an additional $150 million over the next three years.

Petronas deal

In 2010, SouthWest agreed to the purchase of 100% of Petronas’s – a Malaysian state run oil company – interests in blocks 3, 4, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, and 20 in the Ogaden Basin. In July 2011 the Ethiopian Government intervened in the deal, reaching an agreement with Petronas where all the blocks reverted to the Government. The blocks were later subject to a bidding round and were awarded to Chinese company PetroTrans.

Gambela Region

On January 9, 2012, SouthWest announced that it had signed a PSA with the Ethiopian government for exploration of oil and gas in the Gambela Region, in southwestern Ethiopia. The agreement gave SouthWest the right to conduct exploration operations on a block that covers almost 17,000 km. This concession made SouthWest one of the largest acreage holders in East Africa.

ONLF conflict

The rebel group Ogaden National Liberation Front has waged a 28-year campaign for self-determination in the Ogaden region. In April 2007, the group attacked an exploration site operated by China’s Exploration Bureau, killing 74 people, including nine Chinese workers. Since then, the company has recorded no security incidents while surveying the Ogaden Basin, after logging more than one million man-hours.

References

1. ^ William Davison (May 9, 2012). "SouthWest Energy of Ethiopia Optimistic on Oil Search in Ogaden". bloomberg.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
2. ^ "Ethiopia: SouthWest Energy signs with Tullow Oil for Ogaden oil exploration". energy-pedia.com. 03 Mar 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
3. ^ "SouthWest Energy Signs Production Sharing Agreement for the Gambella Region of Ethiopia". sys-con.com. January 9, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
4. "Prime Minister Meles Zenawi for the first time publicly hinted of an oil discovery". tigraionline.com. May 13, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
5. Mikias Sebsibe (2 March 2010). "Ethiopia: Southwest Energy Signs With Tullow Oil PLC for Ogaden Oil Exploration". http://allafrica.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
6. ^ "British oil firm to prospect oil in Ethiopia". sudantribune.com. 7 January 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
7. ^ Sarah McGregor (December 05, 2012). "SouthWest Energy of Ethiopia to Raise $100 Million in Equity". businessweek.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
8. Josh Lewis (06 October 2010). "Petronas sells Ethiopian assets to SouthWest". upstreamonline.com. Retrieved December 19, 2012. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
9. "Ethiopia Awards Ogaden Gas Fields to Chinese Company". Ethiopian Times. July 23, 2011. Retrieved Jan 30, 2013.

• Companies established in 2005
• Economy of Ethiopia