Two New Drilling Ships Added to Turkey’s Energy Fleet
Turkey has strengthened its energy fleet by adding two new ships to enhance exploration and drilling capabilities. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the names of the twin vessels as “Çağrı Bey” and “Yıldırım.”
Among the new ships, Yıldırım will boost production in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, while Çağrı Bey will set sail for new discoveries in Somalia. According to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, one of the ships will operate in Somalia and the other in the Black Sea.
The twin ships, incorporated into the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), arrived in Turkey on September 28 and December 4 respectively, raising the number of Turkey’s deep-sea drilling vessels from four to six.
Preparing for Somalia
The Çağrı Bey drilling ship is expected to complete its operational preparations at Taşucu Port by the end of January 2026, after which it will begin its first drilling mission in Somalia. Previously, the Oruç Reis seismic research vessel had been sent to Somalia, where it collected 3D seismic data across three offshore blocks covering 4,465 square kilometers, later analyzed in Ankara.
Yıldırım Heads to the Black Sea
Currently, the Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdülhamid Han deep-sea drilling ships are operating in the Sakarya Gas Field. The sixth ship, Yıldırım, will join these operations. It is scheduled to depart for Filyos Port in January, complete tower installation and preparations, and begin its first well completion operation in March 2026 as part of the Sakarya Gas Field Development Project.
Technical Features
Built in South Korea in 2024, the twin ships can drill up to 12,000 meters in deep water. Classified as “7th generation ultra-deepwater drilling ships,” they measure 228 meters in length and 42 meters in width. Equipped with a helicopter deck, the vessels also provide living quarters for 200 personnel.
Minister Bayraktar’s Statement
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar shared the following on social media: “With the approval of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, we have named our two new 7th generation drilling ships ‘Çağrı Bey’ and ‘Yıldırım.’ With these technological marvels capable of drilling 12,000 meters, Turkey has now become the country with the world’s fourth-largest deep-sea drilling fleet. Yıldırım will increase production in the Sakarya Gas Field, while Çağrı Bey will set sail for new discoveries in Somalia. Our goal is a fully independent Turkey in energy!”
