Somalia, Turkey Seek to Deepen Cooperation on Oil and Gas

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia and Turkey have discussed expanding cooperation in the oil and gas sector as the country seeks to attract investment and advance exploration of its largely untapped hydrocarbon resources.

Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, held talks with Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia, Ferhat Alkan, at the ministry headquarters to explore opportunities for deeper collaboration in petroleum exploration and development.

The discussions build on growing energy ties between the two countries, which have signed an intergovernmental agreement covering cooperation in oil and gas exploration, assessment and development.

Under the partnership, Turkey’s state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) secured exploration rights for three offshore blocks. The two countries have also pursued cooperation onshore as part of broader efforts to assess Somalia’s petroleum potential.

A key milestone was the deployment of Turkey’s research vessel, Oruç Reis, to Somali waters to conduct seismic surveys and collect geological data to help identify potential drilling locations.

The energy partnership forms part of wider cooperation between Mogadishu and Ankara, which has expanded into defence, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and other sectors.

Somalia has long been considered to have significant oil and gas potential, particularly offshore, but its petroleum industry remains at an early stage of development after decades of conflict and limited exploration.

The government faces the challenge of translating exploration activity into commercially viable discoveries, which would require substantial investment, technical capacity and further development of the country’s regulatory and institutional framework.

Even if viable reserves are confirmed, production and public revenue would depend on the cost of extraction, infrastructure, commercial agreements and the management of petroleum resources.