Türkiye has begun the deployment of its deep-sea drilling vessel, Cagri Bey, to Somalia, marking the country’s first offshore exploration mission beyond its own maritime jurisdiction, according to Reuters.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar described the deployment as a landmark step in Türkiye’s oil and gas exploration strategy, noting that the vessel is scheduled to begin drilling operations at the Curad-1 well off the Somali coast in April.

Speaking during a ceremony at Tasucu port in the southern province of Mersin, Bayraktar indicated that the mission represents the first time a Turkish deep-sea drilling ship has operated outside national waters. He added that Cagri Bey, which recently joined Türkiye’s drilling fleet, is expected to arrive in Somalia within approximately 45 days and will be accompanied by three Turkish naval warships.

Bayraktar also outlined Türkiye’s broader energy ambitions, stating that Ankara aims to reach production levels of 500,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil or equivalent hydrocarbons by 2028. He further indicated that the country expects to double this output through overseas discoveries and production-sharing agreements.

Türkiye and Somalia strengthened energy cooperation in 2024 through hydrocarbon exploration and production agreements granting Turkish firms rights to explore offshore Somali blocks. Under the deal, state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) began seismic survey activities and is moving toward offshore drilling, marking Turkey’s first energy exploration operations in Somali waters.