"It is likely that Çağrı Bey will begin drilling in Somalia around April–May this year, and we will obtain the results within this year,” Bayraktar said in a public statement.

The drilling campaign follows seismic survey studies conducted between 2024 and 2025 to assess the geological potential of Somalia’s offshore blocks. Turkish authorities have described the operation as Türkiye’s first deepwater energy exploration project outside its own maritime zones.

Officials from both countries have presented the initiative as part of broader bilateral cooperation in energy and economic development. Somalia’s government has been seeking foreign investment to help develop its largely untapped offshore resources, viewing the sector as a potential source of long-term revenue.

Industry experts caution, however, that exploratory drilling carries technical and financial risks, and that the presence of commercially viable oil or gas reserves can only be confirmed after detailed analysis of drilling results.

If commercially recoverable hydrocarbons are discovered, the project could attract additional international investment to Somalia’s energy sector and potentially reshape the country’s economic outlook over time. The drilling effort also reflects Türkiye’s growing role in the Horn of Africa, where it has expanded its presence through partnerships in infrastructure, trade, security, and development assistance.