Ankara: Turkish Petroleum will begin exploration activities for oil and gas in three fields in Somalia in the coming months, Trkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced.

According to Anadolu Agency, Turkish Petroleum Corporation and Somali Petroleum Authority signed the onshore hydrocarbon exploration and production agreement in the Turkish capital Ankara. Oil and gas exploration activities will commence in the coming months in three key onshore fields covering approximately 16,000 square kilometers, Bayraktar stated. He clarified that the first phase will involve seismic studies, followed by drilling operations, with the goal of discovering and producing oil and gas in those fields.

Trkiye's seismic ship Oruc Reis is currently conducting three-dimensional seismic studies in areas off the coast of Somalia as part of a previous deal. Noting that the Oruc Reis has already completed approximately 78% of the exploration activity, Bayraktar mentioned: "By the end of May, we will have completed the seismic studies there." He added that based on the data collected, a decision regarding the next phase, which is drilling, will be made.

Bayraktar also disclosed that Istanbul will host the International Natural Resources Summit on May 2. Ministers and relevant companies from around the world will gather for the event aimed at enhancing cooperation, particularly in the oil, natural gas, and mining sectors.

Somalia's Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed called it a historic day, noting that a team will be mobilized to go to Somalia to assess and prepare for the future tasks. He emphasized the commitment of the Turkish and Somalian presidents to advancing Somalia's development. "Somalia has been under decades of civil unrest, war, and fighting against insurgents. But it is now time to develop our natural resources and with the help of our Turkish brothers, we're going to achieve this in the shortest future," he added.

For future collaborations, the Somali minister noted: "We are also thinking of other resources such as minerals." He mentioned that once the necessary regulatory groundwork is in place, Turkish mining companies can enter Somalia to establish agreements and contracts.