The agreement, formalised in March, grants Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum the right to explore and potentially produce energy from three designated areas within Somali waters. Each area covers approximately 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles), offering promising prospects for energy extraction.
This collaboration marks a major step in strengthening the strategic relationship between Turkey and Somalia, with Turkey playing a key role in Somalia’s future energy development. The Oruc Reis, one of Turkey’s most advanced energy exploration vessels, embarked on its journey to Somali waters over the weekend. The ship’s departure was marked by a ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, highlighting the mission’s importance to Turkey’s offshore energy ventures.
The vessel’s route will take it through the Mediterranean Sea, passing the Suez Canal and navigating the Red Sea before reaching Somali waters. Accompanying the Oruc Reis are two Turkish naval frigates, along with a fleet of support vessels, ensuring safe passage and operational support throughout the mission.
Launched in 2017, the Oruc Reis is a testament to Turkey’s engineering prowess, having been entirely designed and built domestically. At 87 meters (285 feet) in length and 34 meters (111 feet) in height, the vessel is equipped for high-precision 2D and 3D seismic surveys – critical tools for identifying offshore oil and gas reserves.
With its four 2,520-kilowatt diesel-electric engines, the Oruc Reis is capable of performing intricate geophysical, geological, oceanographic, and hydrographic studies. The vessel has already surveyed 23,000 square kilometers (8,880 square miles) of ocean during previous missions, providing valuable data for Turkey’s growing energy exploration efforts.
This new exploration mission in Somali waters is part of a broader strategy for Turkey to expand its energy footprint into untapped regions. The exploration in Somalia follows several agreements signed earlier this year, giving Turkish Petroleum access to offshore blocks previously unexplored by international players.
The energy partnership offers mutual benefits: Turkey gains access to significant offshore resources, while Somalia stands to benefit from potential energy revenues and the expertise of a leading energy player.
Turkey’s Ministry of Energy has emphasised that the surveys are just the beginning. There are plans to expand the cooperation further, including deepening exploration efforts and enhancing energy development in the region. This partnership signals Turkey’s long-term commitment to advancing energy cooperation with Somalia and supporting the country’s economic development through its natural resources.
