The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, announced that the oil exploration vessel Oruç Reis is in the final stage of its three-dimensional seismic survey activities in the waters off the coast of Somalia, as part of expanding energy cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking at the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, Erdoğan stated that Oruç Reis is conducting surveys in three different areas in Somalia’s waters, each covering an area of 5,000 square kilometers. So far, 3,700 square kilometers of the 4,111 square kilometers of the project area have been explored, which accounts for 90% of the survey.

“Oruç Reis, inshallah, will complete its operations this month,” Erdoğan said. “If positive results are obtained, we will move on to the next stage, which is drilling.”

The Turkish president noted that, in line with the Production Sharing Agreements signed with Somalia, the survey will also take place in three locations on land within Somalia, covering a total area of 16,000 square kilometers. After analyzing the seismic data, drilling is planned to begin to search for oil.

“If successful, the strategic cooperation between Turkey and Somalia will reach a new level,” Erdoğan said, adding that this success would enhance Turkey’s energy supply security, reduce dependency on foreign sources, and create job opportunities.

Erdoğan also highlighted the benefits for both sides, saying that Somalia would benefit from advanced technology, infrastructure development, job creation, and foreign investment, which would accelerate the country’s economic growth.

“We are a nation with a history of thousands of years, without the shame of colonialism,” Erdoğan said. “We have never sought land, independence, or natural resources that belong to others. Everything we have done, we have done fairly and justly, considering the interests of both sides.”

President Erdoğan’s comments come as the Oruç Reis, which docked in Mogadishu in October, continues its three-dimensional seismic studies off the coast of Somalia to gather vital information related to the country’s oil potential.