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Türkiye has risen to hold the world’s fourth-largest energy fleet, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said, announcing that the country’s sixth drilling ship will operate in the Black Sea.
According to the ministry, the second of the twin ships added to strengthen Türkiye’s exploration and drilling capabilities has now reached the “Blue Homeland,” bringing the total number of drilling vessels in the fleet to six.
Bayraktar said the addition of the new-generation vessel brings the fleet to six drilling ships and two seismic research ships.
He noted that Türkiye’s deep-sea exploration and production capacity has reached new levels, supporting the country’s goal of full energy independence.
Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni and Abdulhamid Han drilling vessels are currently operating in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, while the newly arrived sixth ship will join the operations there.
The minister recalled that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in July that Türkiye had increased the number of deep-sea drilling ships from four to six.
The first of the twin ships under the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) arrived in September, and the second has now entered service.
Built last year in South Korea, the vessel can drill down to 12,000 meters in deep water.
Described as a “7th-generation ultra deepwater drilling ship,” it is 228 meters long and 42 meters wide.
It includes a helicopter deck and provides living space for 200 personnel.
Alongside its drilling ships, Türkiye’s energy fleet also includes the Oruc Reis seismic research vessel, which returned from its first intercontinental mission in Somalia and is preparing for a new assignment in Filyos.
The Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic research vessel is also being used in the Black Sea.
In addition to drilling and seismic vessels, the fleet consists of 11 support ships, one construction ship and a floating production platform.
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