Turkey is set to dispatch its research vessel, the Oruc Reis, to oil blocks offshore Somalia next month, in a strategic move to diversify its crude supply and strengthen its energy security, reported Bloomberg.

Somalia Petroleum Ministry director Mohamed Hashi has confirmed Turkey’s plan.

The move aligns with Turkey's broader ambition to enhance its presence in Africa, which is rich in mineral resources.

The venture into Somalia's oil sector is part of Turkey's ongoing efforts to extend its global influence and comes at a time when the country is actively seeking to mediate a territorial dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Should Turkey succeed in brokering a resolution between Somalia and Ethiopia, the potential benefits, including access to the untapped oil reserves beneath Somalia's seabed, could be substantial.

Turkey has made significant strides in diversifying its energy portfolio, increasing imports from the US, Egypt, Algeria, and Azerbaijan.

The exploration in Somalia represents another step towards achieving greater energy independence.

Last year, Reuters reported that Turkey extended its liquified natural gas (LNG) supply deal with Algeria for three years.

In a statement on X, Turkey’s energy minister, Alparslan Bayraktar, said the deal was signed between Turkish government-backed energy company Botas and Sonatrach, an Algerian state-owned oil and gas company.

The agreement sees Turkey continuing to buy 4.4 billion cubic metres of LNG from Algeria annually.

The original gas supply agreement between Botas and Sonatrach was signed in 1988, and has since been renewed