The Somali Petroleum Authority (SPA) and the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) successfully concluded a three-day Technical Committee Meeting in Mogadishu, Somalia, held from October 10 to 12, 2025.
The high-level meeting, co-chaired by Eng. Abdulqadir Aden, the chairman of the Somali Petroleum Authority, and Mr. Korhan Akin, the director of the Somalia–Turkey Petroleum Project, brought together senior technical experts and advisors from both sides to review project progress, exchange critical geological data, and align strategies as the partnership advances toward the drilling phase of Somalia’s upstream exploration program.
The meeting served as a strategic platform to assess the latest exploration data, finalize seismic interpretations, and identify optimal drilling targets across Somalia’s most promising petroleum blocks. The discussions reinforced the growing technical collaboration between SPA and TPAO, ensuring that all data integration, geological modeling, and operational planning are conducted in accordance with international petroleum industry standards.
“We have successfully completed the seismic acquisition and processing stage and are now preparing to enter the drilling phase,” stated Eng. Abdulqadir Aden, Chairman of the Somali Petroleum Authority.
“We are in the final stages of data interpretation, which will enable us to carefully identify the most promising drilling locations, a critical milestone in Somalia’s petroleum exploration journey,” he added.
The Technical Committee deliberated extensively on seismic data interpretation, basin analysis, and exploration outlook for Blocks 142, 152, and 153, emphasizing the integration of subsurface data, refinement of geological models, and evaluation of exploration risks to enhance precision and decision-making for the next phase of operations.
In addition, the meeting addressed the establishment of a comprehensive Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Management System, as well as capacity-building initiatives and financial planning frameworks designed to support safe, efficient, and compliant exploration activities in line with global standards.
Advisors reviewed mechanisms for project governance, financial oversight, and institutional coordination, underscoring the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective management throughout the implementation of the Somalia–Turkey Petroleum Project.
The meeting reaffirmed the strong partnership between SPA and TPAO and underscored their shared commitment to:
- Advancing Somalia’s upstream exploration through robust technical collaboration;
- Ensuring environmental stewardship and operational safety; and
- Promoting transparent governance and financial accountability within the petroleum sector.
Both parties recognized the transition to the drilling phase as a landmark achievement, symbolizing Somalia’s growing capacity to responsibly develop its hydrocarbon resources and contribute meaningfully to national economic growth and transformation.
