Turkish Ship to Start Oil Search Off Somalia This Month

Turkey's Energy Ministry announced on Thursday that a Turkish seismic research ship plans to arrive at the end October off the coasts of Somalia and begin searching for natural gas and oil after the two countries agreed on cooperation in energy.

The agreement of March envisaged oil production and exploration, and Turkish Petroleum was granted licenses to operate in three areas within the Somali Seas.

The ship Oruc Reis is exploring areas that cover? The ship Oruc Reis will explore areas covering?

In a statement, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that "we predict the area where Oruc Reis is going to work will be a region with good oil prospects."

Oruc Reis, accompanied by two frigates of the navy and support vessels, will reach off-shore Somalia via Mediterranean Sea and Suez Canal.

Bayraktar stated that Turkish Petroleum holds exploration licenses for a maritime jurisdiction divided into three fields totaling 15,000 square kilometers. The three-dimensional study should last around seven months.

(source: Reuters)