Turkish Drilling Ship Set to Arrive in Somalia Waters on Friday
Türkiye is set to begin its first offshore drilling operation in Somalia, with its deep-water drilling vessel Çağrı Bey expected to arrive off the country’s coast on Friday marking a pivotal moment in both nations’ energy ambitions.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that he will travel to Somalia for the milestone, noting that the vessel’s arrival will officially launch Türkiye’s first offshore drilling campaign in the Horn of Africa.
The Çağrı Bey, operated by Turkish Petroleum Corporation, is on its first international mission and will conduct deep-water drilling in Somalia’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. The drilling targets have been identified through earlier seismic surveys carried out by the research vessel Oruç Reis, which completed its exploration mission last year.
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From Somalia’s side, the development is being framed as a landmark step in the country’s energy journey. Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire described the transition to offshore drilling as a “historic milestone” and the beginning of “a new chapter” for the country’s hydrocarbon sector. He emphasized that the move signals Somalia’s readiness to advance into exploratory drilling, particularly in its most promising offshore prospects.
According to Somalia’s foreign ministry, a successful drilling campaign could unlock significant offshore oil reserves, positioning the country as an emerging regional energy player while supporting its broader economic recovery efforts. Minister Shire further underscored that the government is committed to ensuring that any oil discoveries translate into national prosperity and improved livelihoods for Somali citizens.
The operation comes amid global energy uncertainty, with disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affecting supply flows. Minister Bayraktar noted that approximately 20 million barrels of oil per day are currently not passing through the route, contributing to a global supply strain and reinforcing the importance of long-term energy security strategies.
Türkiye’s move into Somali waters aligns with its broader ambition of achieving energy independence—a strategic vision championed since 2002 under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Alongside international ventures, Ankara is also scaling up domestic exploration, with natural gas production in the Black Sea expected to double this year through new drilling initiatives.
The arrival of the Çağrı Bey not only signals the start of offshore drilling in Somalia but also highlights deepening bilateral ties between Ankara and Mogadishu. With energy cooperation now at the forefront, both countries are positioning themselves to benefit from potential discoveries that could reshape regional energy dynamics.
The move toward drilling builds on an inter-governmental cooperation agreement signed on March 7, 2024, under which Türkiye and Somalia agreed to collaborate on the exploration and development of offshore and onshore oil and gas resources. The agreement covers exploration, production, transportation, refining and marketing, laying the foundation for future production-sharing arrangements.