Ankara (Turkey News): Turkey has deployed its deep-sea drill ship Çagri Bay on its first overseas mission to Somalia. Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar described the deployment as a historic step in the country’s maritime energy efforts.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Mersin Taşucu port, Bayraktar stated that the vessel is expected to reach Mogadishu in about 45 days and will begin drilling at the Kurad-1 well in April. Turkey and Somalia had signed agreements in 2024 for oil and gas exploration on land and at sea. The first seismic vessel, Oruc Reis, has already completed surveys in three maritime blocks.
With the addition of Çagri Bay and Yildirim, Turkey’s drilling fleet now consists of six ships. Alongside Oruc Reis and Barbaros Hayrettin Pasha, Turkey has become the world’s fourth-largest offshore oil and gas exploration fleet. Bayraktar also noted that Turkey has signed strategic agreements with US companies ExxonMobil and Chevron, as well as UK-based BP for oil and gas exploration this year, with plans to sign another international partnership next week.
Turkey aims for its national oil company to produce approximately 500,000 barrels of oil and gas per day by 2028, with a long-term target of increasing output to one million barrels per day. Bayraktar emphasized, “I am determined that Çagri Bay, which we are sending outside our waters for oil exploration for the first time, will elevate Turkey-Somalia relations to new heights.” He wished the crew a safe and successful mission.
