Turkish seismic vessel to reach Karachi in mid Nov for offshore oil, gas exploration

“Its arrival will revive Pakistan's offshore exploration efforts after 20 years, marking a new milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye energy cooperation,” the Petroleum Division said in a statement on X.Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik chaired a meeting to review arrangements for the arrival of 🇹🇷 TPOC seismic vessel in Karachi between Nov 17-20.

Its arrival will revive Pak's offshore exploration efforts after 20 years, marking a new milestone in Pak-Türkiye energy cooperationpic.twitter.com/abSGsIOMHi— Petroleum Division, Ministry of Energy (@Official_Pet. Div)November 6, 2026Malik said he would personally welcome the vessel upon its arrival in Karachi, describing the development as an important milestone in Pakistan-Türkiye friendship following the signing of the Makkah Agreement.

He said Pakistan would extend full support to Türkiye in the offshore oil and gas exploration project, adding that the initiative would contribute to the country's energy security and strengthen bilateral cooperation. “Pakistan and Türkiye will jointly achieve a historic success that will be remembered for generations,” the minister said.

The meeting directed all relevant departments and institutions to maintain close coordination to ensure the vessel's arrival and the smooth conduct of offshore operations. Also Read:Turkish Petroleum to soon begin offshore drilling in Pakistan: petroleum minister.

Separately, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktarconfirmedthat the country's seismic research vessel Oruç Reis was heading towards waters off Pakistan.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of international press organisations and foreign-language media outlets at Energy Markets Operations Inc in Istanbul, Bayraktar said Türkiye aimed to expand the overseas operations of TPAO.Recalling that Türkiye had signed several cooperation agreements with international oil companies, he said its growth strategy envisaged expanding TPAO's overseas presence through mergers and acquisitions or partnerships with major oil companies.

“That is why we are drilling off the coast of Somalia. We have work underway concerning Pakistan. Our seismic research vessel Oruç Reis is currently heading towards waters off Pakistan,” he said.

Pakistan formallyreopenedits offshore oil and gas exploration sector in May this year after nearly two decades, with the government signing production-sharing agreements and exploration licences for offshore blocks awarded under the Offshore Bid Round 2025. With additional input from Web Desk.