Türkiye has deployed its deep-sea drilling vessel, Cagri Bey, to Somalia for its first offshore exploration mission outside Turkish maritime territory. Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar described the move as a "historic moment" in the nation's energy strategy, with drilling set to begin in April 2026 at the Curad-1 well off Somalia's coast.
The vessel, escorted by three Turkish naval warships, departed from the southern port of Tasucu on February 15 and is expected to reach Somali waters in approximately 45 days. Bayraktar emphasized Türkiye's goal to produce 500,000 barrels of oil (or equivalent hydrocarbons) per day by 2028, with plans to double output through international partnerships.
Somalia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Daahir Shire Mohamed, hailed the mission as a milestone in the country's economic recovery. "This vessel symbolizes hope, opportunity, and a new beginning grounded in transparency," he stated, pledging equitable management of Somalia's natural resources under international standards.
The collaboration underscores deepening economic ties between Türkiye and East Africa, positioning Somalia as a potential energy hub while advancing Ankara's ambitions to expand its global energy footprint.
