Turkish Vessel Heads to Somalia to Conduct Oil Exploration
GOOBJOOG NEWS|TURKIYE: A Turkish vessel set to conduct seismic surveys in Somalia set said off Saturday towards Somalia as the two countries implement an oil exploration deal signed early this year.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Somalia’s energy minister Abdirizak Omar flagged off the 87 metres long vessel as it begun its journey in the Istanbul Straits at around 11 am (0800GMT) after entering from the Black Sea, making its way past the Dolmabahce Presidential Office, where the ceremony took place at 2.30 pm (1130GMT).
President Erdogan noted that the vessel has been providing ‘important services’ to his country since 2017.
“The Oruc Reis, which has provided important services to our country since 2017, will now do seismic activities in Somalia across three licensed areas, each representing 5,000 square kilometres,” Erdogan said on X.
The Oruc Reis will do seismic surveys in Somali waters under an agreement signed in March between Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and Somalia’s Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry.
he vessel is scheduled to arrive off the coast of Somalia later this month to do seismic surveys for oil and natural gas in three areas where Türkiye has secured exploration licenses, said a ministry statement.
The vessel will sail through the Mediterranean to the Suez Canal and go through the Red Sea.
The ship will be accompanied by two Turkish naval frigates, as well as the Zaganos Pasa Support Ship, Sancar Platform Support Ship, and Ataman Tracking Ship.
It will carry out 3-D seismic studies in areas off the coast of Somalia. Somalia granted Turkiye licenses in March this year to conduct seismic surveys across three licensed zones, each covering roughly 5,000 square km.