Turkish minister: Gas and oil exploration, game changer for Somalia

Somalia's Petroleum Minister Abdirizak Omar Mohamed [R] and Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar[R] © Photo Turkish Ministry of Energy

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The planned exploration of oil and gas in Somalia would tremendously boost the economy of the Horn of Africa nation, Turkish Energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar says, noting the intended benefits that the country shall get once the project is completed.

In future, he says, many international companies shall join the venture and greatly help to boost the economy of Somalia which has struggled for the last three decades. Already, Turkish research vessel Oruc Reis has docked Mogadishu for the seismic surveys.

Bayraktar says the Turkish Petroleum Cooperation (TPAC) signed an agreement with the Somali Petroleum Authority for thr onshore hydrocarbon exploration in what could help the country maximise its production potential.

The seismic studies Türkiye will conduct in Somalia will be useful for American companies that hold licenses, Bayraktar told daily Milliyet.

“In the period ahead, it could be possible that international companies may join those operations. Somalians and we are open to this idea. We are playing the pioneering role here,” he said.

This is not an ordinary operation, Bayraktar said of Türkiye’s exploration activities in Somalia. While the primary goal was to explore the offshore oil and gas, the team shall extend their exploits for the onshore oil.

“The primary objective was offshore exploration. But we cannot overlook the onshore potential, even though onshore exploration entails certain risks,” the minister added.

Activities of American companies that had obtained licenses in Somalia failed to yield results because they lacked the capacity to carry out an “integrated operation," he noted.

The Turkish Petroleum company is undertaking both the seismic survey and exploration according to him. A number of American companies had taken a backseat in the whole process due to fear of risks.

One of those American companies visited Türkiye for talks, Bayraktar said.

“They are happy now because there is a vessel [Oruç Reis] in Somalia to conduct three-dimensional seismic studies. Holding a license is now making sense for them,” he added.

GAROWE ONLINE