Turkey’s ultra‑deepwater drillship Çağrı Bey has left Mogadishu Port and is en route to the CURAD‑1 well site, where it will carry out Turkey’s first deep‑sea drilling operation abroad, the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said Sunday.
The vessel departed after completing fuel and equipment loading. It is accompanied by support ships Altan, Korkut and Sancar, while naval vessels TCG Sancaktar, TCG Gökova and TCG Bafra are providing security.
Çağrı Bey reached Somalia on April 10 after a 53‑day voyage from Mersin’s Taşucu Port. The ministry said the ship is expected to arrive at the well location — about 372 kilometers offshore — around midday Tuesday. Positioning and testing will begin before drilling starts.
The operation will target a total depth of 7,500 meters, including 3,495 meters of water depth and 4,005 meters of drilling below the seabed. If completed as planned, CURAD‑1 would be among the world’s deepest offshore wells. A remotely operated underwater vehicle capable of descending 4,000 meters will also be used.
Depending on weather and sea conditions, drilling is expected to take six to nine months, the ministry said.