As Türkiye sends off research ship, Somalia hails its support for energy development

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) – Somalia on Saturday hailed Türkiye’s support in energy development as the Turkish president saw the Oruc Reis vessel embark to the waters off Somalia for its latest energy exploration mission.

Somalia, rich in untapped energy potential, “regards this occasion as a historic milestone, with deep appreciation to Türkiye for its steadfast support,” Somalia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It said the initiative is set to propel Somalia toward greater economic development and a stronger energy sector.

“The Oruc Reis embarks on a mission to explore Somalia’s vast oil and gas reserves, supported by surveying vessels and military ships for security,” the statement said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeing the vessel start its voyage.

Abdirizak Mohamed, Somalia’s petroleum and mineral resources minister, hailed the voyage, writing on X: “Today is a monumental day for Türkiye & Somalia as Oruc Reis Seismic research ship embarked from Istanbul to Mogadishu to conduct 3D Seismic on offshore Somalia.”

Early this year Türkiye and Somalia signed memorandums of understanding under which Turkish Petroleum, Türkiye's national oil company, obtained licenses for three offshore areas in Somali waters.

Türkiye plans to do seismic surveys across the three licensed zones, each covering roughly 5,000 square km (1,930 sq mi).​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Türkiye, a long-time close ally of Somalia, has also invested in its education, infrastructure, and health sectors, as well as provided extensive humanitarian aid.

Türkiye also has its largest overseas military facility in the capital Mogadishu to train the Somali National Army.