Turkey, Somalia Sign Agreement for Exploration and Exploitation of Oil and Natural Gas

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ISTANBUL: Somalia and Turkey have signed an inter-governmental agreement and memorandum of understanding that will see the two countries collaborate in the exploration and drilling of oil and natural gas fields in Somalia’s onshore and offshore blocks.

The inter-governmental agreement was sealed during a meeting between the Federal Government of Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Abdirizak Mohamed and his Turkish counterpart Dr. Alparslan Bayraktar in Instanbul, Thursday.

Speaking during the meeting, the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Dr. Alparslan Bayraktar said the agreement will enhance his country’s cooperation with Somalia in the oil and natural gas field.

“With this agreement, we will carry out joint activities to bring the resources of Somalia to the Somali people. We aim to strengthen Turkey’s presence in the Horn of Africa with new collaborations in the field of energy,” Dr. Bayraktar said.

The latest deal further solidifies the two countries’ bilateral ties following the conclusion of a defense deal last month, which authorizes Turkey to defend Somali marine waters from terrorism, piracy and external threats for the next ten years.

The agreement gives Turkey the right to develop Somalia’s marine resources in its exclusive economic zone.

Turkey has notable experience in offshore energy exploration demonstrated by the discovery of gas in the Black Sea in 2020, and is now engaged in developing gas for domestic consumption.