• Somalia launches its first offshore exploration well with Turkish support

• Drilling marks shift from seismic studies to direct resource testing

• Success could reshape an economy still dominated by livestock and services

Somalia has begun drilling its first offshore oil exploration well, marking a key step in its effort to confirm the country’s hydrocarbon potential. The development was reported on April 6 by local media, citing Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Omar.

The well, known as Curad-1, is being drilled with support from Turkey and signals a transition from seismic surveys to direct offshore testing. The aim is to determine whether commercially viable oil and gas resources exist in Somalia’s territorial waters.

Operations are being carried out by the Turkish deep-sea drilling vessel Çağrı Bey, which has been deployed in the exploration area since February 2026. The vessel is tasked with collecting subsurface data to better understand the geological structure of the seabed.

These technical assessments are critical to confirming the presence of hydrocarbons and evaluating whether any discovered resources can be developed commercially.

Ali Omar said a successful outcome could strengthen Somalia’s resource-driven growth prospects while reinforcing Turkey’s position as a long-term strategic partner.

For years, Somali authorities have viewed hydrocarbons as a potential driver of economic transformation. That ambition comes as the country’s economy remains heavily reliant on traditional sectors.

According to the African Development Bank’s Country Focus Report 2025, agriculture—mainly livestock—accounts for about 65% of Somalia’s GDP. The report also highlights services, including telecommunications and remittances from the diaspora, along with private consumption, as key contributors to economic activity.

Data from the African Union’s Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) further underscores this dependence. Livestock alone contributes about 45% of GDP, generates 60% of export earnings, and supports nearly 60% of the population.

Against this backdrop, Somalia is seeking to diversify its revenue base by tapping into offshore oil and gas resources.

Since March 2024, Turkey has played a central role in advancing this strategy under a bilateral cooperation agreement that includes technical and operational support for offshore exploration and development. The current drilling campaign builds on earlier seismic studies conducted under this framework.

Somalia has also explored additional partnerships. In 2025, discussions were initiated with Azerbaijan on potential energy cooperation involving the state-owned company SOCAR.

Still, the outcome of the drilling remains uncertain. According to estimates by Rystad Energy, only about 38% of oil and gas exploration wells result in commercially viable discoveries.

Abdel-Latif Boureima