Türkiye begins oil and gas exploration in Somalia economy

Today, Friday, the Turkish seismic research ship “Oruc Reis” arrived at the Mogadishu International Port, accompanied by frigates, military helicopters, and support ships, to begin its mission to carry out a three-dimensional seismic survey of gas and oil in the Somali coast, a mission scheduled to last 7 months.

This step comes within the economic and security agreement concluded between Turkey and Somalia at the beginning of this year.

On this occasion, a ceremony was held in the port of Mogadishu in the presence of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Turkish Energy Minister Alp Arslan Bayraktar, and the launch of the seismic survey was announced.

In his speech, the Somali President described the occasion as a “great historical event” aimed at strengthening Somalia’s economy and investing in the natural resources available in the country. He also praised Turkey’s role in supporting Somalis and providing assistance in attracting global attention to the investment opportunities available in Somalia.

For his part, the Turkish minister said that the Turkish state-owned energy company (TPAO) and the Somali Petroleum Corporation signed an agreement for joint land exploration for oil and gas in Somalia.

An agreement was signed between Turkey and Somalia in the middle of this year to explore and produce hydrocarbons in 3 marine areas off the Somali coast, on an area estimated at about 15,000 square kilometers.

Over the past few years, Türkiye has become a strong ally of the Somali government, building schools, hospitals and infrastructure, in addition to providing scholarships for Somalis to study there.

In 2017, Türkiye opened its largest military base abroad in Mogadishu, where it provides training to the Somali army and police.

It is noteworthy that the Turkish exploration ship “Oruc Reis” is accompanied during its mission by the support and support ships “Zaganos Pasha” and “Sinjar”, and the tracking ship “Ataman”, in addition to two frigates of the Turkish Navy.

The seismic research data that Oruç Reis will collect off the Somali coast will be stored in the data processing directorate of TPAO in the capital, Ankara.

If positive data and indicators are obtained, the process of energy exploration in the region will begin.