Somalia and Turkey Sign Onshore Hydrocarbon Exploration Deal

April 11, 2025

(3 Minutes Read)

Turkey and Somalia have strengthened their energy collaboration by signing an agreement for onshore hydrocarbon exploration and production. This agreement permits Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) to initiate oil and gas exploration across three land blocks spanning about 16,000 square kilometers in Somalia.

The deal was signed in Ankara by Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Somali Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Dahir Shire Mohamed, representing a new phase in their bilateral cooperation following previous offshore agreements.

Minister Bayraktar confirmed that TPAO will commence exploration operations in the specified land areas within the coming months. He stated, “With this agreement, we have established a partnership onshore. Initially, we will conduct seismic surveys, followed by drilling operations to locate and extract oil and gas reserves.”

This agreement follows a production-sharing deal from July 2024, which set the stage for further activities in Somalia’s resource sector. Bayraktar also updated on Turkey’s offshore initiatives in Somalia, noting that the Oruc Reis seismic vessel is currently surveying three offshore blocks totalling 15,000 square kilometers with 3D seismic surveys. “The project is 78 percent complete,” he added, anticipating the survey’s completion in May, after which a decision on drilling will be made based on the data collected.

Looking ahead, Turkey and Somalia intend to enhance their partnership in the mining sector. Bayraktar expressed the goal of advancing their relations through concrete mining projects. Minister Dahir highlighted the agreement’s significance, stating that it elevates their bilateral relations to a new level. “We will develop Somalia’s local resources and seek practical benefits for both nations,” he noted, indicating that Turkish mining firms are expected to engage in Somalia once legal frameworks are established.

Additionally, Bayraktar announced that Turkey will host the International Natural Resources Summit in Istanbul on May 2, under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s auspices, gathering ministers and energy companies worldwide to foster partnerships in oil, natural gas, and mining.