Turkish oil drilling vessel departed Turkey on Sunday bound for Somalia to begin offshore exploration under a bilateral energy agreement.
The seventh-generation drillship, CaÄŸri Bey, was sent off at a ceremony attended by Somali and Turkish officials from both governments.
Somalia’s petroleum and ports ministers, the petroleum authority chief and ambassador attended, alongside Turkey’s energy minister and senior officials.
Somali authorities said the vessel will drill offshore as part of efforts to develop oil and gas resources.
The deployment follows agreements signed by Ankara and Mogadishu in early 2024 expanding economic, energy and defense cooperation.
Under the agreement, Turkey’s state energy company TPAO received rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in three offshore blocks.
Turkey has also expanded military cooperation, deploying personnel from air, naval and ground forces to support Somalia.
Turkish naval vessels operating in Somali waters are expected to help secure offshore energy infrastructure and drilling activities.
Drilling is scheduled to begin this year, targeting subsea reserves identified during earlier seismic and research surveys.
Somali officials cite preliminary estimates suggesting significant oil and gas potential despite persistent security and infrastructure challenges nationwide.
