Frinday 13-Sep-2024 {HMC} Somalia’s Minister of Petroleum and Minerals, Abdirisakh Omar Mohamed, announced on Thursday that the Turkish government will commence deep-sea oil drilling operations in Somali waters starting in April 2025.
Speaking to Somali National Television, the minister emphasized that preparations are underway, and the oil sector holds significant potential to lift Somalia out of poverty and boost its economy.
“There are 13 oil exploration sites in the sea, located across Jubbaland, Galmudug, Southwest, and Hirshabelle regions, which are expected to drill,” Mohamed said. He also noted that the Somali government has signed an agreement with a Qatari company to explore oil in three land-based areas, including Afgoye district.
Despite Somalia having over 200 oil blocks in its seas, no comprehensive surveys have been conducted due to ongoing security concerns and internal conflicts, according to industry experts.
In early March, Somalia signed a new oil and gas deal with Turkey that officials said would aid cooperation in exploring and exploiting the hydrocarbons. The agreement covers Somalia’s exclusive economic zone and land-based exploration, targeting hydrocarbon reserves that have yet to be fully developed.
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