Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis last week arrived in Somalia to conduct seismic surveys for oil and natural gas. Speaking at the welcoming ceremony at the Port of Mogadishu, Bayraktar announced that Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and Somali Petroleum Authority signed an agreement on onshore hydrocarbon exploration in Somalia.
The seismic studies Türkiye will conduct in Somalia will be useful for American companies that hold licenses, Bayraktar told daily Milliyet. In the period ahead, it could be possible that international companies may join those operations. Somalians and we are open to this idea. We are playing the pioneering role here.
This is not an ordinary operation, Bayraktar said of Türkiye’s exploration activities in Somalia. The primary objective was offshore exploration. But we cannot overlook the onshore potential, even though onshore exploration entails certain risks, the minister added.
