Çağrı Bey Travels to Somalia

Türkiye, which has recently been focusing on overseas operations in addition to domestic exploration and production operations, is counting down the days to begin exploration drilling in Somalia.

Arrived in Türkiye on September 30

Çağrı Bey, one of the new twin drilling ships added to Türkiye’s energy fleet, arrived in Mersin on September 30 last year. The operational preparation process for Çağrı Bey, which was decided to be sent to Somalia to carry out Türkiye’s first deep-sea exploration drilling abroad, has been completed at Taşucu Port.  

President Erdoğan Addresses the Crew

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar was briefed by the crew at the port regarding the final preparations for the ship. Minister Bayraktar also spoke with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by phone while on board the ship. Addressing the crew, President Erdoğan said, "You have a long journey ahead of you until April, but this journey will truly be a blessed one, and we are expecting good news from you, from Somalia, insha'Allah. May God be with you and help you. God willing, with these drillings, we will hear and make known the voice of all these Turkish ships not only in our country but throughout the world. I hope this blessed journey will be a source of good, and I pray to God for your success once again."

Sent Off to Somalia

After the final preparations were completed, Minister Bayraktar sent Çağrı Bey off to Somalia. The Somali Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport, Abdulkadir Muhammed Nur, and the Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Dahir Shire Muhammed, also attended the send-off ceremony.

A Historic Moment

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Bayraktar said, "Today, we are all witnessing a historic moment in our country's oil and natural gas exploration. For the first time, our deep-sea drilling vessel is embarking on a mission outside of Türkiye. We are sending off Çağrı Bey, the newest addition to our fleet, from here, from the Port of Mersin Taşucu, to Somalia."

Agreement for Three Blocks

Bayraktar recalled that on March 7, 2024, an intergovernmental agreement and a memorandum of understanding were signed to develop cooperation in the field of oil and natural gas in Somalia's onshore and offshore blocks. He noted that in July of the same year, they signed a production sharing agreement for three separate blocks located in Somali waters.

Oruç Reis Collected Data

Recalling that the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel was sent off to Somalia from the Bosphorus Strait by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 5, 2024, within the scope of the agreements, Bayraktar explained that Oruç Reis collected data in a total area of 4,465 square kilometers in three separate offshore blocks.

Drilling Decision at 7,500 Meters

Bayraktar noted that as a result of the evaluation and interpretation of the seismic studies, they decided to drill at a location approximately 370 kilometers from Mogadishu, at a total depth of 7,500 meters.

45-Day Journey

Bayraktar stated that a long journey awaited Çağrı Bey, adding, "Due to the height of the rig, it cannot travel via the Suez Canal. It will cross the Mediterranean from end to end, enter the Atlantic Ocean via the Strait of Gibraltar, follow the West African coastline, pass the Cape of Good Hope, and, God willing, arrive safely at the Port of Mogadishu after a 45-day journey."

Curad-1 Well

Referring to the fact that newborn babies in Somalia are given the name 'Curad', Bayraktar said, "Our drilling ship Çağrı Bey will reach the well point we named Curad-1 in April and begin deep sea drilling activities."

Navy Ships Will Be Present

Bayraktar noted that approximately 180 personnel will be working on the ship and that naval assets consisting of TCG Sancaktar, TCG Gökova, and TCG Bafra will support Çağrı Bey to ensure safe operations. Bayraktar also pointed out that the support ships Altan, Korkut, and Sancar, which are part of the energy fleet, will also accompany the mission.

Target: 1 Million Barrels of Production

Bayraktar stated that they will conduct seismic surveys in offshore areas in Pakistan and that they have obtained oil and natural gas exploration rights in two fields in Libya, adding, "All these steps are part of our growth strategy abroad." Bayraktar also said that following ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP, they plan to sign an agreement next week with another international company for a partnership in offshore fields abroad. Pointing out that Turkish Petroleum will become a company producing approximately 500,000 barrels of oil and natural gas by 2028, Bayraktar explained that their goal is to reach a production of 1 million barrels per day.

12,000-Meter Drilling Capacity

Completed in South Korea in 2024 and joining Türkiye’s energy fleet, the twin ships Çağrı Bey can drill up to 12,000 meters in deep waters. Dubbed the '7th generation ultra-deep sea drilling vessel', the ship is 228 meters long, 114 meters high and 42 meters wide. The ship, which has a helicopter pad, also provides living space for 200 personnel.

Yıldırım Preparing for Duty

Operational preparations are also underway for the deep-sea drilling vessel Yıldırım, the twin of Çağrı Bey. Once these preparations are complete, Yıldırım will join exploration and production activities in the Black Sea in April.