The Horn of Africa States region (HAS) is entering a phase of transformation long considered unlikely, marked most visibly by the arrival of the Turkish drillship Cagri Bey at the Curad-1 well site in offshore Somalia. Located in Block 153, approximately 370 kilometers north of Mogadishu along the Somali coast of the Indian Ocean, the Curad-1 well represents a technically ambitious endeavor. Positioned in waters roughly 3,500 meters deep, the vessel is tasked with drilling down to an estimated depth of 7,500 meters. This alone underscores the scale and complexity of the operation, placing it among the more challenging offshore drilling projects globally.

Yet the significance of this development extends far beyond its technical dimensions. First, it reflects the deepening strategic partnership between Somalia and Türkiye, a relationship that has evolved over the past decade across sectors including defense, infrastructure, and energy. Second, it marks the first time that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has undertaken a deep-sea drilling operation outside Türkiye’s own waters. This milestone signals Ankara’s growing ambition to project its energy capabilities internationally while strengthening its geopolitical footprint in the HAS region.

Equally noteworthy is the logistical journey that brought the drillship to its destination. The Cagri Bey completed a 45-day voyage around the African continent, deliberately avoiding the Suez........

© Eurasia Review