The Turkish deep-sea drillship Çağrı Bey arrived in Mogadishu on April 9, 2026, to begin Somalia’s first offshore deep-sea oil operations under the protection of a Turkish naval task group. This arrival followed a 53-day transit from Istanbul and marks the start of operations at the Curad-1 well.
A naval task force of three Turkish warships escorted the vessel to its station to ensure security for the deep-sea operation. These assets include the TCG Sancaktar, a Bayraktar-class tank landing ship; the TCG Gökova, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate; and the TCG Bafra, a Burak-class corvette. The fleet is tasked with protecting the drilling crew and maintaining a security perimeter around the exploration site located 372 kilometers off the Somali coast.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar attended a high-level welcoming ceremony at the Port of Mogadishu. The event served as a formal handover for a fresh shipment of Turkish military aid, including Kirpi armoured vehicles and infantry weapons. During the welcoming ceremony, Turkish officials confirmed that the naval presence also facilitates the delivery of military aid to the Somali National Armed Forces.
The Curad-1 well, named after the Somali word for “Firstborn”, represents a notable engineering challenge for the crew of 180 personnel aboard the Çağrı Bey. Engineers plan to drill a further 4,005 meters into the crust to reach a total depth of 7,500 meters. If successful, Curad-1 will be the second-deepest offshore well in the world. Operations are scheduled to continue for 288 days. The drillship is supported by three auxiliary vessels named Altan, Korkut, and Sancar. These ships manage logistics and supply lines between the offshore site and the Port of Mogadishu. Around 500 personnel will rotate through the mission over the coming months.
The mission follows a comprehensive Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed between Ankara and Mogadishu in February 2024. This pact, signed in Ankara, authorizes Turkey to protect Somali territorial waters against external threats. It also grants Turkish Petroleum exploration and drilling rights within the Somali Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Turkey has maintained a presence in the region since 2011, eventually establishing its largest overseas military base, TURKSOM, in Mogadishu. The base focuses on training Somali soldiers to fight the al-Shabaab militant group.
The TCG Gökova provides the task force with long-range surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities. The TCG Bafra, originally a French D’Estienne d’Orves-class corvette, offers specialized coastal patrol and escort utility. Meanwhile, the TCG Sancaktar serves as a logistics and command platform for the task group.
Analysts note that the Turkish model in Somalia differs from Western approaches by integrating economic investment with direct security guarantees. The deployment of frigates to protect energy research vessels is a practical application of the maritime deal signed in early 2024. Turkish Energy Minister Bayraktar confirmed that Turkish Petroleum holds licences for three blocks in the Somali seas, each covering roughly 5,000 square kilometers.
The data driving the Curad-1 project was gathered during months of seismic research conducted by the Oruç Reis vessel. This 3D seismic study was the first of its kind in these specific Somali waters. Turkish officials believe the fields hold high potential for hydrocarbon discoveries that could alter the economic trajectory of the Horn of Africa.
STRATEGIC MARITIME INTEGRATION AND REGIONAL COOPERATION
The mission allows Turkey to test its deep-sea drilling capabilities in an international environment while modernizing the Somali Navy. Securing the Curad-1 site requires constant surveillance to prevent piracy or interference from regional competitors. The presence of the TCG Gökova and TCG Bafra emphasizes Ankara’s commitment to maintaining regional stability through hardware and personnel.
The delivery of logistics trucks and ammunition alongside the drillship arrival shows the dual nature of the partnership. Turkey is effectively acting as a guarantor for Somalia’s maritime sovereignty. This role was formalised when President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced a motion to the Turkish parliament in 2024 seeking troop deployment to Somali waters.
For the Somali National Army, the arrival of more Kirpi vehicles provides essential protection against improvised explosive devices during inland operations. These mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles have become a staple of Somali counter-terrorism efforts.
Turkey’s vision to become a global player in the energy sector relies on these overseas ventures. By controlling both the exploration technology and the security apparatus, Ankara minimizes reliance on third-party contractors.
The mission at Curad-1 is the first of several planned exploration wells. The success of the Curad-1 well could provide Somalia with a domestic source of revenue to fund its ongoing security operations and infrastructure projects. Further, testing and seismic analysis will determine the locations for subsequent drilling phases in the remaining licensed blocks.