Türkiye has launched its first overseas deep-sea drilling campaign, marking a significant milestone in the country’s expanding energy ambitions.
The drillship Çağrı Bey, one of the newest additions to Türkiye’s energy fleet, arrived in Mogadishu last week after a 53-day voyage from Istanbul.
The vessel is set to begin operations at the CURAD-1 well, located 372 kilometres off Somalia’s coast, in what officials describe as a ‘historic mission.’
A welcoming ceremony was held at the Port of Mogadishu, attended by Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed, and Ports and Maritime Transport Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur.
The event underscored the strategic partnership between the two nations, with Bayraktar hailing the project as “the most concrete demonstration of Türkiye’s vision to become a global game-changer in the energy sector.”
The CURAD-1 well, named after the Somali word for ‘firstborn,’ is expected to reach a total depth of 7,500 metres. Drilling will begin at a seabed depth of 3,495 metres, continuing for another 4,005 metres.
If successful, CURAD-1 would rank as the world’s second-deepest offshore well. Operations are scheduled to last 288 days, supported by three auxiliary vessels — Altan, Korkut, and Sancar — and naval assets including the TCG Sancaktar, TCG Gökova, and TCG Bafra. TCG Sancaktar is a Bayraktar-class tank landing ship while TCG Gökova is an Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigate and TCG Bafra is a D’Estienne d’Orves-class (Burak class) corvette.
Around 500 personnel will rotate through the mission, with 180 stationed aboard Çağrı Bey.
The Somali campaign follows extensive seismic surveys conducted by Türkiye’s research vessel Oruç Reis. Launched in October 2024 from the Bosphorus Strait, Oruç Reis spent 234 days mapping three offshore blocks in Somali waters, covering 4,464 square kilometres.
The data gathered informed the decision to drill at CURAD-1, which officials believe holds promising potential.
Minister Bayraktar emphasised that the project is not only about energy exploration but also about strengthening bilateral ties. “This joint effort with Somalia will serve the prosperity of both nations and further reinforce the brotherhood between our countries,” he said.
He added that Türkiye’s growing overseas operations reflect its determination to secure energy independence while contributing to regional development.
For Somalia, the partnership represents a step toward unlocking offshore resources that could bolster its economy. President Mahmoud described the collaboration as a symbol of trust and shared vision, noting that the presence of Çağrı Bey signals Somalia’s emergence as a player in global energy exploration.
The mission comes at a time when Türkiye has accelerated both domestic and international energy projects, positioning itself as a rising actor in the sector.
With Çağrı Bey now preparing to drill one of the deepest wells in the world, officials in Ankara and Mogadishu alike are hopeful that the venture will yield results that reshape the energy landscape of the Horn of Africa.
Written by Africa Ports & Ships and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.
