MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia is on the cusp of a new era as it prepares to launch its first offshore oil drilling operations. A Turkish government-owned drilling ship, Çağrı Bey, is scheduled to arrive off the Somali coast on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.
In a statement on social media platform X, Somalia’s Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire described the upcoming drilling as a “historic milestone “and a “new chapter “for the nation. He emphasized the potential economic benefits and the country’s aspirations to become a regional energy player.
The Çağrı Bey, which is embarking on its first international mission, will conduct deep water drilling at sites identified by recent seismic surveys. These surveys, completed by a Turkish research vessel last year, have mapped out Somalia’s hydrocarbon potential.
The Somali government is committed to ensuring that the benefits of the oil drilling project are channeled towards national prosperity and improved well — being for its citizens. This initiative is part of a broader cooperation between Somalia and Turkey, formalized in 2024 through a production-sharing agreement.
Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar highlighted Turkey’s role as a “trusted long-term partner “in Somalia’s development. Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, ahead of his planned visit to Somalia, spoke of the potential economic benefits for Somalia, East Africa, and Turkey.
Turkey’s involvement in Somalia dates back over a decade, and it has been expanding its military presence in the region, operating a major base since 2017. Despite estimates suggesting billions of barrels of oil reserves, exploration has been previously hindered by decades of conflict and political instability. This offshore drilling campaign represents a significant step forward for Somalia’s energy sector and its aspirations to become a major player in the regional energy market.
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