Turkish drillship arrives in Somalia for historic deep-sea mission

Türkiye’s advanced deep‑sea drilling vessel Cagri Bey has arrived off the coast of Somalia, officially launching Ankara’s first‑ever offshore drilling operation abroad. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed the arrival on social media, describing the moment as the opening of “a brand‑new chapter in the energy history of both Türkiye and Somalia.” The vessel is set to drill at the Curad‑1 well over a 288‑day campaign, operating at depths of approximately 7,500 metres (over 24,600 feet).

Strategic Energy Partnership

The mission represents a major step in Türkiye’s strategy to expand its energy exploration footprint beyond its own waters. The Cagri Bey, a state‑of‑the‑art drillship, will conduct the first deep‑sea exploration drilling activity undertaken by a Turkish vessel in the Horn of Africa. Bayraktar had previously indicated that the ship would arrive in Somali waters on Friday, but the vessel reached its destination ahead of schedule, underscoring the efficiency of the operation. “We ask for God’s grace for our first overseas deep‑sea drilling operation that goes beyond our borders,” the minister said.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

The deployment follows hydrocarbon exploration agreements signed between Türkiye and Somalia in 2024, which cover onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration. The seismic vessel Oruç Reis had previously completed surveys in three offshore blocks. By launching this historic mission, Ankara aims to help Somalia unlock its underwater energy potential while securing access to new resources and reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The Cagri Bey’s successful arrival and imminent drilling demonstrate Türkiye’s growing capability to project energy technology and expertise onto the international stage.