According to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will send off the Oruç Reis vessel as it passes through the Bosphorus on Saturday. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar will also attend the farewell ceremony.
Oruç Reis will reach the waters off Somalia via the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, and Red Sea routes. The ship is planned to be in the waters off Somalia by the end of October and will conduct seismic studies for oil and natural gas in three licensed maritime areas. During its mission, two frigates from the navy, along with the Zağanos Paşa Support Ship, Sancar Platform Support Ship, and Ataman Tracking Ship will accompany Oruç Reis.
Oruç Reis will conduct three-dimensional seismic studies in the three licensed areas off the coast of Somalia for the first time. The activities, expected to last approximately seven months, will involve gathering data on both natural gas and oil. The collected data will be analyzed in Ankara, and drilling operations will commence at locations determined based on the results.
In statements, Minister Bayraktar noted that Türkiye Petrolleri has an exploration license in a 15,000 square kilometer maritime area in Somalia, stating, "The first step of exploration in this scope is seismic activity. We will send Oruç Reis to Somalia to conduct seismic studies together with our President. Oruç Reis will perform three-dimensional seismic studies in the designated maritime area, which has never been done before. We anticipate that the area where Oruç Reis will operate is a region with oil indications."
Features of the Vessel
Constructed in Turkish shipyards, Oruç Reis was launched in 2017 as a result of the efforts of Turkish engineers, technicians, and workers throughout all stages from design to production. The vessel is specifically designed for geophysical, geological, oceanographic, and hydrographic studies, measuring 87 meters in length, 23 meters in width, and 34 meters in height.
With a power output of 4x2,520 kW from diesel-electric engines, Oruç Reis can perform two- and three-dimensional seismic surveys in underwater oil and natural gas exploration activities. To date, Oruç Reis has conducted numerous seismic activities at sea, collecting data across a total area of 23,000 square kilometers, including both three-dimensional and two-dimensional surveys.
This year, Turkey and Somalia signed memoranda of understanding between ministries and governments. Under these agreements, the national oil company Türkiye Petrolleri obtained licenses in three areas in Somali waters. The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources plans to first conduct seismic activities in the three licensed areas, each representing approximately five thousand square kilometers.
Source: AA - Edited and translated by Zihni
