Turkiye is to send research vessel Oruc Reis (IMO 9675470) to explore offshore oil blocks belonging to Somalia next month, reports Bloomberg, stating that Turkiye was seeking to extend its influence in Africa and strengthen energy security.
The move, confirmed by Mohamed Hashi, director of Somalia’s petroleum ministry, could help diversify Turkiye’s crude supply and is part of the country’s attempts to increase its interests in a region where China, Russia, Gulf states and the West also have geopolitical ambitions.
Turkiye already operates its largest overseas military base in Somalia, while Turkish companies manage the capital’s port and airport.
Earlier this year the Turkish parliament approved a motion from Erdogan to send naval support to Somali waters.
For some time Turkiye has sought to reduce its dependence on energy imports from Russia and Iran. It has increased its imports from the US, Algeria, Egypt, and Azerbaijan.
“Exploring oil in Somalia’s offshore fields and elsewhere would contribute to Ankara’s diversification strategy, grow Turkey’s energy business, and expand regional presence of Turkish companies,” said Ali Bakir, an assistant professor at Qatar University and a former Qatari diplomat in Turkey.
2017-built, 4,789 gt Oruc Reis is owned by Enerji Ve Tabii Kaynaklar care of manager Turkish Petroleum Off-Shore Technology Centre AS of Istanbul, Turkiye. It is entered with Skuld (Skuld Energy) on behalf of Enerji Ve Tabii Kaynaklar. As of August 19th it was en route from Filyos, Turkiye, to undertake a survey operation