The Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources announced that the Oruc Reis oil exploration vessel in Somali waters has completed its mission in Somalia.
A press release from the Turkish Ministry of Energy’s Office revealed that the Oruc Reis vessel conducted a 3D seismic survey consisting of three different blocks, covering an area of 4,464 square kilometers.
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said that the Oruc Reis vessel has been operating in Somali waters since Oct. 25, 2024, completing its 234-day oil exploration mission.
“The data collected during this mission will serve as a roadmap for assessing the potential of Somalia’s seas in the near future,” said Minister Bayraktar.
Following the signing of a Production Sharing Agreement between Turkey and Somalia on July 24, 2024, covering three blocks offshore Somalia for oil exploration, the Oruc Reis and its accompanying vessels set sail for Somalia on October 4, 2024.
The Oruc Reis, scheduled to depart Mogadishu Port on June 15 to return to Turkey, is expected to be ready for its next mission in August.
Minister Bayraktar stressed that the seismic data collected during the mission will not only support the assessment of maritime boundaries but will also inform future energy exploration.
