Alparslan Bayraktar

Turkish research vessel Oruç Reis has arrived off the coast of Somalia to conduct seismic surveys for oil and natural gas, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Oct. 25.

"Oruç Reis has reached its mission location after its journey across continents," Bayraktar shared on X.

Türkiye has been expanding cooperation among nations in the field of mining and natural resources through agreements signed with key global players in the industry.

Türkiye and China have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in mining and natural resources during Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar's official visit to China.

Bayraktar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Guanghuatar inked the deal in Tianjin, where the Turkish minister attended the International Mining Conference.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar will pay a visit to China this week to hold talks.

Türkiye is working to implement a multidimensional, multilayered and unique energy transformation strategy, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said.

Speaking at the Atlantic Council's regional conference on clean and secure energy conference in Istanbul, the minister said that the country's renewable energy strategy for 2035 may be unveiled soon.

Türkiye is seeking to carry out oil and natural gas exploration activities in different regions in the world through partnerships, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said.

Türkiye has put countries and regions on its radar, he noted.

"One of them is Somalia… We also want to take part in different projects in Iraq," the minister told a group of journalists in Ankara.

Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has stated that sending off the Oruç Reis Seismic Research Vessel to Somalia marks the beginning of a new era in Türkiye's natural gas and oil exploration at sea.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Oct. 5 attended a ceremony to see off the Oruç Reis vessel as it embarked on its latest energy research mission bound for the waters off Somalia.

Türkiye's seismic research vessel Oruç Reis is scheduled to depart for Somalia this weekend, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said.

The minister announced the deployment at a conference in the capital Ankara on Oct. 2.

It follows a deal signed between Türkiye and Somalia for hydrocarbon exploration in three designated offshore blocks.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodriguez have discussed new opportunities for cooperation in the exploration, production and trade of natural gas and oil.

Bayraktar met with the Venezuelan committee in the Turkish capital Ankara, the Turkish minister said on X.

Executives of large global companies from 13 countries met with top Turkish officials, including Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in Istanbul on Sept. 28 for the Investment Advisory Council for Türkiye gathering.