Somalia has announced it is ready to launch its first offshore oil drilling project, marking a major step in the country’s energy ambitions. A Turkish government-owned drilling vessel is expected to arrive off the Somali coast on Friday to begin operations.
The development comes after seismic surveys carried out last year by a Turkish research ship identified promising offshore oil and gas prospects.
Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire called the moment a “historic milestone” in a post on X, saying it signals the beginning of a new phase in Somalia’s offshore energy exploration.
According to officials, the drilling campaign could unlock significant hydrocarbon reserves and play a key role in boosting Somalia’s economic recovery, while positioning it as a future energy producer in the region.
The drilling ship, Çağrı Bey, operated by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation, is embarking on its first mission abroad. It will conduct deep-water exploratory drilling in the Arabian Sea at locations identified during earlier surveys.
Shire said the project demonstrates Somalia’s readiness to move forward with exploration and emphasized that any future resource development would aim to benefit the country’s economy and improve living standards.
Energy cooperation between Somalia and Turkey was formalized in 2024 through a production-sharing agreement, strengthening ties between the two nations.
Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar described Turkey as a reliable long-term development partner, while Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar noted that any successful discoveries could bring major economic gains not only for Somalia, but also for East Africa and Turkey.
Turkey has steadily expanded its presence in Somalia over the past decade, investing in infrastructure and increasing its military footprint, including operating a large base in the country since 2017.
Although experts believe Somalia holds vast oil reserves, exploration has long been delayed by years of conflict and political instability. This latest move signals a renewed push to tap into those resources.
