Turkey is set to dispatch its research vessel, the Oruc Reis, to oil blocks offshore Somalia next month, in a strategic move to diversify its crude supply and strengthen its energy security, reported Bloomberg. Somalia Petroleum Ministry director Mohamed Hashi has confirmed Turkey’s plan. The move aligns with Turkey’s broader ambition to enhance its presence in Africa, which is rich in mineral resources.
The venture into Somalia’s oil sector is part of Turkey’s ongoing efforts to extend its global influence and comes at a time when the country is actively seeking to mediate a territorial dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia. Should Turkey succeed in brokering a resolution between Somalia and Ethiopia, the potential benefits, including access to the untapped oil reserves beneath Somalia’s seabed, could be substantial.
Source: offshore-technology.com