Turkish Vessel Oruç Reis resumes exploratory drilling in Eastern Mediterranean
News Agencies – Turkish seismic exploration vessel has reached its new destination to conduct exploratory drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean in an area between Greece and the island of Cyprus, the energy and natural resources minister said Monday, as he reiterated Turkey’s determination to protect its interests in the region.
The statement said that the R/V Oruc Reis, Ataman and Cengiz Han would be carrying out operations from August 10 to August 23, as per information received in NAVTEX. The Oruc Reis is a seismic vessel, while the other two are escort ships.
“Our MTA Oruç Reis seismic research vessel reached the operation area after departing from Antalya, for its new mission in the Mediterranean. 83 million Turkish people support you, Oruç reis,” Dönmez wrote on Twitter.
“Our efforts in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea for Turkey’s energy independence will continue uninterrupted,” Dönmez added.
Seismic surveys are part of the preparatory work for potential hydrocarbon exploration. Oruç Reis seismic research ship can perform all kinds of geological, geophysical, hydrographic and oceanographic research, especially the continental shelf and natural resource searches.
On Thursday, Egypt and Greece designated an exclusive economic zone between them in the Mediterranean Sea with an agreement signed in Cairo, allowing them to maximize the use of available resources in the zone and tap the oil and gas reserves there.
