Turkey has begun a new phase in oil and gas production off the eastern shores of the African continent: the exploration and drilling vessel Çağrı Bey has been sent to the shores of Somalia, where it will begin exploration of oil and natural gas reserves in this region.
The information was announced by Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar on X, according to Ukrinform.
Mission and Vessel Overview
According to the official, the goal of hydrocarbon exploration off the Somali coast is to secure Turkey’s full energy independence.
According to TRT Haber, the Çağrı Bey left Taşucu Port in Mersin Province and headed toward the Somali coast; the mission will last about 45 days.
The channel also notes that previously off the Somali coast the exploration vessel Oruç Reis collected 3D seismic data over an area of about 5,000 square kilometers in three separate offshore zones. Now, based on the data obtained, Çağrı Bey will carry out drilling operations.
Çağrı Bey is a seventh-generation ultra-deep-water drilling vessel capable of drilling wells up to 12,000 meters deep.
In October 2024, Turkey sent the exploration vessel Oruç Reis to the shores of Somalia, accompanied by two Turkish Navy frigates. The hydrocarbon exploration was conducted in accordance with a memorandum of understanding between the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Somali Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, signed in March 2024.