Turkey is set to begin its first-ever overseas deepwater drilling operation next month off the coast of Somalia, a landmark move solidifying the strategic partnership between the two nations.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that the drilling vessel Cagri Bey will be dispatched in February to begin exploration in Somali waters, following a comprehensive energy deal signed in 2024.
While the exact size of the investment and targeted reserves haven’t been detailed, the project marks a major step for both countries, representing a significant milestone in Somalia’s efforts to tap into its potentially vast natural resources, which are estimated to hold up to 30 billion barrels of oil.
The operation follows extensive seismic surveys conducted by Turkish vessels and signals a new chapter in the long-standing alliance that has grown from humanitarian aid to include major investments in security, infrastructure, and now, high-stakes energy development.
Somali officials have hailed the project as a “historic turning point” that promises to boost the nation’s economy and fund public services.
In a recent meeting, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Somali counterpart, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, not only confirmed the 2026 drilling timeline but also announced ambitious plans for Turkey to build a spaceport in Somalia, expanding the partnership from the depths of the sea to outer space.
