Turkey has signed an agreement granting it exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in three blocks in Somalia, further strengthening a relationship that began several months ago.
The agreement covers a combined area of 5,000 square kilometers.
On Thursday, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Somalian Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed attended a ceremony in Istanbul to mark the signing of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Production Agreement.
Bayraktar announced that the Oruç Reis research vessel, owned by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration in Ankara, will be dispatched to the region at the end of September or early October.
The vessel, equipped with a 50-person crew and five support vessels, will conduct research to identify exploration, drilling, and oil discovery opportunities.
“This is a historic step for both countries,” Bayraktar stated.
Abdirizak Omar Mohamed added that the start of production will benefit both nations and strengthen their bilateral relationship.
In March, Turkey signed an initial cooperation agreement with Somalia for the exploration and development of offshore oil and natural gas.
At the time, Bayraktar expressed on social media that the agreement would help bring Somalia’s resources to its people and strengthen Turkey’s presence in the Horn of Africa through new energy collaborations.
Earlier this week, Turkey also signed a declaration of intent with Niger to cooperate in oil and gas production, following high-level meetings between Turkish and Nigerian officials in Niamey.
According to the think tank Carnegie Europe, Turkey is one of the world’s top energy consumers. From 2001 to 2021, Turkey’s energy consumption more than doubled, making it the country with the fastest-growing energy demand in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Official data indicate that Turkey’s electricity demand will increase by 55% by 2050. In 2021, 84% of Turkey’s energy supply came from coal, natural gas, or oil, highlighting a continued dependence on fossil fuels.
