Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – After nine months of extensive offshore research, the Turkish oil exploration vessel Oruç Reis officially departed the Port of Mogadishu today, marking the completion of its first phase of operations along Somalia’s coast.
A formal farewell ceremony was held at the port, attended by high-ranking Somali and Turkish officials. Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Noor, led the delegation on the Somali side, while Turkey was represented by its Ambassador to Somalia.
The Oruç Reis had been conducting seismic surveys and other exploratory activities to assess the potential for oil beneath Somalia’s territorial waters. According to statements released by the Federal Government of Somalia, the mission yielded promising results, including the confirmed discovery of offshore oil wells.
“This is a historic moment for Somalia,” said Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Noor during the ceremony. “The completion of the exploration phase brings us one step closer to realizing our goal of harnessing our natural resources for national development.”
With exploration now concluded, the Somali government has announced the commencement of the project’s second phase: the production and extraction of fuel. This phase will involve further collaboration with Turkey and other international partners to develop the necessary infrastructure for drilling and processing oil.
The Somali public is looking ahead with cautious optimism. Many hope that successful oil production will generate much-needed employment, boost the national economy, and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign energy sources.
If managed transparently and sustainably, the oil sector could become a cornerstone of Somalia’s long-term economic recovery and growth.