Somalia Set to Begin First Ever Offshore Oil Drilling in April 2026

Somalia stands on the cusp of launching its inaugural offshore oil drilling programme, following the arrival of the Turkish drillship Çagir Bey in Somali waters on Friday. The deep-water drilling vessel, operated by Turkish Petroleum Corporation, will undertake its first international mission off the Somali coast, with operations at the Curad-1 well anticipated to commence this month.

Seismic data indicates that Somalia’s offshore basins may contain between 30 billion and 40 billion barrels of oil and gas equivalent. Turkey previously deployed the Oruç Reis vessel to conduct comprehensive 3D seismic surveys aimed at identifying potential reserves. The drilling initiative follows a hydrocarbon cooperation agreement established between Somalia and Turkey in 2024.

Should the programme prove successful, it could fundamentally transform Somalia’s economic landscape, providing funding for infrastructure development and establishing the nation as a significant energy player within the East African region.

The 2024 hydrocarbon agreement between Turkey and Somalia has attracted considerable criticism, primarily regarding its revenue-sharing structure. Under the terms, Turkish state-owned company TPAO may retain up to 90 per cent of revenue for cost recovery during early stages, whilst Somalia receives merely a 5 per cent royalty in the initial phase.

Critics have characterised the agreement as inequitable and neo-colonial in nature. Concerns have been raised regarding provisions allowing Turkey to deploy its own military forces to secure projects, which some observers fear could establish a form of economic hegemony in the region.

Proponents of the agreement counter that it represents a standard model for high-risk frontier markets where investors assume substantial financial exposure. Supporters contend the arrangement constitutes a pragmatic approach to attracting investment to a nation lacking the requisite human and financial capital to develop offshore resources independently. They note that the agreement ultimately provides Somalia with a 70 per cent profit share once costs have been recovered.

Turkey’s Africa Opening strategy positions Somalia as central to its objectives, given the country’s strategic maritime location in the Horn of Africa and its untapped energy potential. Following a diplomatic pivot in 2011, Turkey has secured considerable influence through energy exploration agreements, deep-water oil drilling contracts and military training programmes.

In 2017, Turkey established Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu, its largest overseas military installation, utilised for training elite Somali units. Beyond military cooperation, Turkey has engaged in infrastructure development across Somalia. By 2023, Turkey had expanded its total African trade to exceed 40 billion dollars.