The Turkish ship Oruç Reis is scheduled to leave for Somalia at the end of this week, according to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar.
The minister announced this operation at a meeting held in the capital Ankara on Oct. 2.
This action follows an agreement signed between Turkey and Somalia regarding the exploration of carbon in three blocks designated to be done off the coast of Somalia.
According to the agreement concluded in July, Turkey will have exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in the blocks, each of which occupies an area of approximately 5,000 square kilometers.
Two of the blocks are located approximately 50 kilometers off the coast of Somalia, while the third is located 100 kilometers from the coast.
Oruç Reis will conduct seismic research that will last for months, which can lead to exploration, drilling and possible discoveries, the minister said earlier.
Bayraktar, who described the agreement as a “historic step” for the two countries, said that the ship is accompanied by 50 personnel and five support ships towards Somalia.
