The Turkish survey vessel Oruç Reis has embarked on a new mission to explore oil and gas reserves off the coast of Somalia. A farewell ceremony was held to commemorate the ship’s departure from Filyos Port in Zonguldak, Turkey, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Somali Minister of Petroleum and Minerals H.E. Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, and the Chairman of the Somali Petroleum Agency.
The Oruç Reis, an 87-meter long seismic survey vessel, will traverse the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Red Sea before reaching Somali waters by the end of October, following a 19-day journey. Once in Somalia, it will conduct a 3D seismic survey across three designated areas covering a total of 15,000 square kilometers. The operation, which will last approximately seven months, aims to gather critical data for oil and natural gas exploration, which will then be sent to Ankara for further analysis.
This exploratory mission is a strategic move for Turkey, expanding its resource exploration footprint and strengthening its relations with Somalia. The collaboration in oil and gas exploration builds on the historical ties and expanding economic and military cooperation between the two nations.
Turkey’s Strategic Interests in Somalia
Turkey’s involvement in Somalia extends beyond energy exploration. Since 2011, Turkey has emerged as a major ally of Somalia, providing humanitarian aid, supporting infrastructure development, and enhancing the nation’s military capabilities. Turkey’s involvement intensified in 2017 with the opening of the TURKSOM military base, the largest Turkish military facility abroad, aimed at rebuilding the Somali National Army. Since then, Turkey has trained thousands of Somali soldiers and provided significant military support to combat internal threats like the Al-Shabab insurgency.
The latest agreements between Turkey and Somalia, signed in February 2024, underline Turkey’s ambition to solidify its influence in the Horn of Africa. These agreements include enhanced military and economic cooperation, as well as provisions for maritime security, which are crucial for Somalia given its strategic location along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The agreements enable Turkey to play a pivotal role in defending Somali territorial waters from piracy, smuggling, and foreign intervention.
Finally, The Turkish survey vessel Oruç Reis’s expedition to explore oil and gas reserves off the coast of Somalia marks a significant step in Turkey’s strategic ambitions in the region. This initiative not only seeks to uncover energy resources but also reinforces Turkey’s growing influence in Somalia through deepened economic and military cooperation. With a comprehensive 3D seismic survey set to cover 15,000 square kilometers over the next seven months, the mission represents Turkey’s broader geopolitical interest in the Horn of Africa. By leveraging its presence in Somali waters, Turkey aims to secure a foothold in the region’s energy sector while strengthening bilateral relations, thereby positioning itself as a critical partner in Somalia’s quest for economic and security stability.
