Turkey has signed an agreement granting it exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in three blocks in Somalia, furthering a relationship that began several months ago.
The agreement covers a combined area of 5,000 square kilometers. The Turkish energy and natural resources minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, and the Somali petroleum and mineral resources minister, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, attended a signing ceremony in Istanbul on Thursday.
Bayraktar announced plans to send the research vessel Oruç Reis to the region at the end of September or early October. The vessel, owned by the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration in Ankara, will conduct research to identify exploration, drilling, and oil discovery opportunities. It will be accompanied by a 50-person crew and five support vessels. Bayraktar described this initiative as a “historic step” for both countries.
Abdirizak Omar Mohamed emphasized the mutual benefits of the production for both nations and highlighted its potential to strengthen bilateral relations.
This agreement builds on an initial cooperation agreement signed in March between Turkey and Somalia for offshore oil and natural gas exploration and development. At the time, Bayraktar expressed on social media platform X that the agreement aimed to bring Somalia’s resources to its people and strengthen Turkey’s presence in the Horn of Africa through new energy collaborations.
Additionally, Turkey signed a declaration of intent with Niger earlier this week to cooperate in oil and gas production, following high-level meetings between Turkish and Nigerian officials in Niamey.
Turkey is one of the world’s top energy consumers, with its overall energy consumption more than doubling between 2001 and 2021, making it the fastest-growing energy demand country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Official data indicates that Turkey’s electricity demand is expected to grow by a further 55% by 2050. In 2021, 84% of Turkey’s energy supply came from coal, natural gas, or oil, underscoring the country’s continued reliance on fossil fuels.