Somalia Prepares for First Offshore oil Drilling in Landmark Move
Last update: April 6, 2026
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Somalia prepares for first offshore drilling as Turkish vessel arrives.
Somalia says it is ready to begin its first offshore oil drilling operations, with a Turkish government owned drilling ship expected to arrive off its coast on Friday.
The development follows the successful completion of seismic surveys last year by a Turkish research vessel, which helped identify potential hydrocarbon reserves.
In a post on X, Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire described the move toward offshore drilling as a historic milestone in the country’s energy journey, signaling the start of a new chapter.
Somalia’s foreign ministry said a successful drilling campaign could unlock offshore oil reserves and support the country’s economic recovery, positioning it as a regional energy player.
The Turkish Petroleum Corporation’s drilling ship, Çağrı Bey, is on its first international mission and is heading into Somalia’s territorial waters in the Arabian Sea.
The vessel is expected to carry out deep water drilling at sites identified during recent surveys that mapped Somalia’s hydrocarbon potential.
Shire said the project demonstrates Somalia’s readiness to move into exploratory drilling, beginning with its most promising offshore prospects. He added that the government aims to ensure any benefits from oil production contribute to national prosperity and improve citizens’ well being.
Turkey and Somalia formalized their cooperation in 2024 through a production sharing agreement.
Somali Foreign Minister Ali Omar said on Monday that the drilling campaign would strengthen Turkey’s role as a trusted long term partner in the country’s development.
Speaking ahead of his planned visit to Somalia, Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said any discovery of oil or gas would bring significant economic benefits to Somalia, East Africa and Turkey.
Turkey has been deepening ties with Somalia for more than a decade, investing in infrastructure and expanding its military presence, including operating a major base established in 2017.
Researchers estimate Somalia holds billions of barrels of oil, though exploration has long been hindered by decades of conflict and political instability.
