The Oruç Reis Research Vessel, developed by Turkey with domestic and national resources, is heading to Somalia. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will bid farewell to Oruç Reis, who will pass through the Bosphorus on Saturday. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar will also attend the farewell ceremony. Oruç Reis, which is planned to be off the coast of Somalia at the end of October, will conduct seismic work for oil and natural gas in 3 licensed maritime jurisdiction areas.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bayraktar stated that Turkish Petroleum has an exploration license in a 15 thousand square kilometer maritime jurisdiction area offshore Somalia and said, “The first step of the exploration within this scope is seismic activity. We will send Oruç Reis off to Somalia with our President to conduct seismic studies. Oruç Reis will conduct a 3D seismic study that has never been done before in the designated maritime jurisdiction area. We anticipate that the area where Oruç Reis will work is an area with oil signs.”
Custom design
Built in shipyards in Turkey, Oruç Reis was launched as a result of the efforts of Turkish engineers, technicians and workers in all stages from design to production and began operations in 2017. Designed specifically for geophysical, geological, oceanographic and hydrographic studies, the ship is 87 meters long, 23 meters wide and 34 meters high.
23 Thousand Square Kilometers of Data
Oruç Reis, which has a 4x2.520 kW diesel electric engine power, can conduct both two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic research in underwater oil and natural gas exploration activities. Oruç Reis has collected a total of over 23 thousand square kilometers of data, three-dimensional and two-dimensional, while conducting numerous seismic activities in the Blue Homeland to date.
License in 3 Fields
In 2024, Turkey and Somalia signed memorandums of understanding between their ministries and governments. Within the framework of these agreements, the National Petroleum Company Turkish Petroleum obtained licenses for 3 areas in the Somali seas. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources took action to initially conduct seismic activities in 5 licensed areas, each representing an area of approximately 3 thousand square kilometers.
Farewell from Istanbul
In this context, Oruç Reis, which will set off from Filyos Port, will pass through the Bosphorus on Saturday and head towards Somalia. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will bid farewell to Oruç Reis. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Bayraktar will also attend the farewell ceremony.
Two Frigates from the Navy
Oruç Reis will reach the coast of Somalia via the Mediterranean, Suez Canal and Red Sea route. Oruç Reis, which is planned to be in the designated area towards the end of this month, will be accompanied by two frigates from the navy, as well as the Zağanos Paşa Support Ship, the Sancar Platform Support Ship and the Ataman Tracking Ship during its mission.
Will Collect Seismic Data
Oruç Reis will conduct a three-dimensional seismic study, which has never been done before, in three licensed areas off the coast of Somalia. During the activity, which is expected to last approximately 3 months, Oruç Reis will collect data for both natural gas and oil. The collected data will be analyzed in Ankara and then drilling operations will begin in the determined locations depending on the results.
