The Turkish ultra-deepwater drilling vessel Cagri Bey has officially reached the Somali territorial waters to commence the first-ever offshore drilling operation in Somalia’s history.

The deployment follows months of comprehensive seismic surveys conducted by Turkish research vessels, which identified high-potential hydrocarbon reserves beneath the seabed.

Cagri Bey is one of the 6 ultra-deepwater drillships added to the Turkish fleet. It is equipped with the cutting-edge technology capable of operating in extreme depths, making it one of the few vessels in the world capable of tapping into Somalia’s underexplored maritime resources.

The drilling operation is underpinned by the Somalia-Turkey Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement. Under this deal, Turkey not only provides the technical expertise for energy exploration but also assists in maritime security.

The Cagri Bey is expected to start its first exploratory well within the coming days.

“The success of the Cagri Bey will not just be measured in barrels of oil, but in the stability and growth it brings to the Somali coast,” said the statement of the Turkish Defense Agency.

Somalia is set to join the elite oil-producing countries in Africa, and this new venture is set to pump more resources into the economy of the Federal Republic of Somalia.