Türkiye dispatches deep-sea drilling ship to Somalia in first overseas mission

Türkiye sent its deep-sea drilling vessel Cagri Bey to Somalia on Sunday for what its energy minister said would be Ankara's first offshore exploration mission outside its maritime zone.

Describing the move as a "historic moment" in Türkiye's oil and gas exploration efforts, Alparslan Bayraktar said the vessel would begin drilling in April at the Curad-1 well off Somalia.

"For the first time, our deep-sea drilling ship is setting out on a mission beyond (our maritime zone)," Bayraktar said at a ceremony at Tasucu port in the southern province of Mersin.

He said Cagri Bey, which recently joined Türkiye's drilling fleet, was expected to reach Somalia in about 45 days and would be escorted by three Turkish naval warships.

Somalia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Daahir Shire Mohamed, hailed the vessel's departure as a milestone in the country’s economic recovery.

"Today is a great and historic day. It reflects Somalia's recovery and the rebuilding of its destiny with confidence toward a prosperous future," the minister said. "The vessel heading to Somali waters today is not merely a technical asset; it is a national symbol a symbol of hope, opportunity and a new beginning grounded in legality, transparency and responsibility."

He emphasized that Somalia’s natural resources are a national asset and pledged they would be managed transparently and equitably, in line with international standards, to benefit current and future generations.

Bayraktar said Türkiye aims to produce 500,000 barrels per day of oil—or equivalent hydrocarbons—by 2028, and expects to double that through discoveries and production‑sharing agreements abroad.

Story compiled with assistance from wire reports.