Türkiye’s Oruc Reis expected to arrive in Somalia for energy exploration
Turkey's Oruc Reis Research Ship, developed with domestic and national facilities, has completed its preparations for the Somalia mission. (AA Photo)
The Oruc Reis research vessel is expected to arrive in Somalia on Friday to collect data on oil and natural gas as part of a project aimed at diversifying energy sources. The findings from this mission will pave the way for new agreements.
Setting sail to operate in some of the world’s most complex maritime areas, the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel is anticipated to reach Somalia on Friday. After departing from Caycuma, Zonguldak, Türkiye on Oct. 4, Oruc Reis will arrive off the coast of Somalia following a 20-day journey.
The vessel will operate under a memorandum signed in March between Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Somali Federal Republic’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. Throughout its journey, the vessel’s safety is ensured by the navy, with TCG Gediz, TCG Gokova, and TCG Ustegmen Arif Ekmekci accompanying Oruc Reis.
Approximately 7-month mission
Under the agreement, Oruc Reis will conduct exclusive exploration in three separate blocks, each covering an area of 5,000 square kilometers in Somalia’s waters. If oil is discovered, the vessel will have the authority to produce it.
During its mission, Oruc Reis will be accompanied by three frigates: the Zaganos Pasa support vessel, the Sancar platform support vessel and the Ataman monitoring vessel. The activities are expected to last about seven months, during which Oruc Reis will gather data on both natural gas and oil. The collected data will be analyzed in Ankara before drilling operations begin at designated locations.
Oruc Reis built by Turkish engineers
Oruc Reis was designed for exploration and research in Turkish and global waters. Its construction began in 2012 through a collaboration between the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA) and the Presidency of Defense Industries, using entirely domestic resources.
Launched in 2015, Oruc Reis is equipped with advanced scientific and technical equipment, including modern navigation and maneuvering systems, geophysical and detailed seabed imaging and mapping technologies, as well as remote-operated underwater vehicles (ROVs) for geological sampling from both the water column and the seabed.
Onboard analysis laboratories
The vessel is equipped with laboratories for geology, geophysics, hydrography, oceanography, and biology research, enabling the processing, analysis, and evaluation of collected data. Oruc Reis can conduct two-dimensional and three-dimensional deep seismic surveys in open waters.
In addition to oil and natural gas research, the vessel facilitates scientific studies of the underwater continuity of land areas, such as continental shelves, which hold strategic importance. Oruc Reis can visualize geological structures up to 15,000 meters deep, while a modern ROV can monitor seabeds at depths of 1,500 meters.
Samples from seawater and the seabed can be collected for immediate measurement and analysis.
