While seeking additional sources of energy in the Horn of Africa region, Ankara has discovered close to 20 billion barrels of crude oil in Somalia.
Turkish exploration missions have reportedly uncovered vast crude oil reserves in Somalia, with estimates suggesting up to 20 billion barrels of commercially viable oil, according to media sources from both Turkey and Somalia.
Two of the blocks under operation in the region have reportedly yielded substantial oil reserves, while exploration continues on the third block, which is anticipated to hold commercially viable quantities as well.
The discovery of these extensive oil reserves follows a recent agreement between Türkiye and Somalia, signed just a month ago, to advance onshore oil and gas exploration in the East African nation under the oversight of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and the Somali Petroleum Authority.
While the agreement has been promoted as a significant step for Mogadishu’s energy sector, it has also faced criticism for disproportionately favoring Ankara.
Under the deal, Turkish energy authorities receive approximately 90 percent of Somalia’s oil and gas rights, while Turkish entities are exempt from upfront payments such as bonuses and administrative fees.
conclusion
Türkiye has discovered up to 20 billion barrels of crude oil in Somalia amid Ankara’s exploration drive to find further energy sources in the Horn of Africa region.
Two of the three blocks operated by Türkiye have already yielded significant commercial quantities of crude oil while the third block is still under exploration and is expected to contain additional reserves.
This discovery follows a recent agreement between Türkiye and Somalia on hydrocarbon exploration which grants Türkiye extensive operational rights over Somalia’s oil resources.
