By Hassan Adan
The Government of Somalia has welcomed a Turkish drillship off the coast of Mogadishu, marking the start of the country’s first offshore deep-water oil exploration project under a bilateral energy agreement.
The vessel, Çağrı Bey, arrived to begin drilling in the waters of the Indian Ocean, with senior government officials and dignitaries attending a ceremony as the ship entered the Port of Mogadishu.
Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, described the deployment as a “national milestone,” saying it represents a step toward economic transformation through the responsible management of the country’s natural resources.
“The arrival of the Çağrı Bey is a national milestone that will lead to economic development, increased investment, and new job opportunities,” Mohamud said, adding that potential oil revenues should be directed toward public services and long-term stability.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and other officials were also present, underscoring the government’s focus on attracting investment while strengthening oversight of any future extraction activities.
Turkey’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, said the project would open “a new era” for Turkish offshore petroleum exploration.
He noted that the planned well is expected to reach depths of up to 7,500 meters, placing it among the deepest offshore drilling operations globally.
According to officials, the drilling project is expected to last around 10 months, as exploratory work seeks to confirm the presence of hydrocarbons in blocks identified by earlier surveys.
Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Mohamed, described the launch as historic, saying it presents a new opportunity to harness natural resources for national development. He termed the move a “positive step” toward translating exploration into tangible benefits.
The initiative follows agreements signed between Somalia and Turkey in 2024 covering offshore energy exploration.
Previously conducted Turkish seismic surveys identified several offshore areas considered promising for hydrocarbon potential.
Officials said the project will proceed with a focus on transparency, adding that any future revenue—if exploration proves successful—is expected to support social programmes and infrastructure development.
