Somalia is set to begin its first offshore oil drilling operation, with a Turkish government-owned drilling vessel expected to arrive off the Somali coast on Friday.
The move follows successful seismic surveys conducted last year by a Turkish research ship, which mapped potential hydrocarbon sites in the region.
In a post on X, Somalia’s Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire called the upcoming drilling a “historic milestone in our offshore energy journey… A new chapter begins.” The Somali Foreign Ministry added that a successful drilling campaign could unlock significant offshore oil reserves, bolstering the country’s economy and positioning it as an emerging regional energy player.
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation vessel, Çağrı Bey, is on its first international mission and will conduct deep-water drilling at the sites identified by the surveys. Shire emphasized that the project aims to ensure that the benefits of oil development contribute to national prosperity and public welfare.
Turkey and Somalia formalized their energy cooperation in 2024 through a production-sharing agreement. Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar said the project would strengthen Turkey’s position as a “trusted long-term partner” in Somalia’s development. Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar noted that any discoveries of oil or gas could deliver substantial economic benefits to Somalia, East Africa, and Turkey.
Despite holding potentially billions of barrels in reserves, Somalia’s oil exploration has been limited by decades of conflict and political instability. Turkey has invested in Somalia for over a decade and maintains a major military base in the country, reflecting deepening bilateral ties.
0 Comments