What are Drilling Vessels ?

• June 2, 2025

Turkey’s Energy Revolution: Strengthening Strategy at Sea with Drillships

With its determined steps toward energy independence, Turkey has entered a new era, particularly through offshore hydrocarbon exploration. The powerful fleet of national drillships not only symbolizes the country’s energy ambitions but also plays a strategic role in shifting geopolitical dynamics.

But what exactly do these high-tech vessels do? And how are they shaping Turkey’s energy future?

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What Are Drillships?

Pioneering Energy in Deep Waters

Drillships are advanced marine vessels designed to drill deep beneath the seabed to locate and extract energy resources such as oil and natural gas. These ships are equipped with state-of-the-art drilling towers capable of reaching depths of over 12,000 meters.

One of the most critical systems during drilling is the Dynamic Positioning System (DP3), which keeps the vessel steady despite challenging sea conditions. Additionally, the Blowout Preventer (BOP) ensures safety against sudden gas blowouts.

These integrated technologies maximize safety and operational efficiency in deepwater environments.

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Turkey’s Powerful Quartet: National Drillships

⚙️Fatih Drillship

Joined the Turkish fleet in 2017 and made headlines with the discovery of 405 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the Black Sea’s Sakarya Gas Field—the largest hydrocarbon find in Turkey’s history. Fatih features a dual-tower structure and DP3 system and has become a symbol of the nation’s energy transformation.

⚙️ Yavuz Drillship

Acquired in 2018, Yavuz can drill up to 12,200 meters deep and plays an active role in strategic operations, particularly in the Eastern Mediterranean.

⚙️ Kanuni Drillship

Added to the fleet in 2020, Kanuni supports the production phase in the Sakarya Gas Field with its advanced well testing and geological analysis systems.

⚙️ Abdülhamid Han Drillship

The latest and most advanced member of the fleet, Abdülhamid Han joined in 2022. Measuring 238 meters in length, this vessel represents the Blue Homeland (Mavi Vatan) doctrine with its powerful 12,200-meter drilling capacity and modern technology.

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Seismic Research Vessels: The Silent Heroes of Drilling

⚙️ Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa

Acquired from Norway in 2013, this vessel gathers 2D and 3D seismic data to provide essential pre-drilling analysis.

⚙️ MTA Oruç Reis

Completely built with domestic capabilities, Oruç Reis operates under the General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration (MTA), bridging scientific research and the energy industry.

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TPAO and Turkey’s National Energy Strategy

Firm Steps Toward Independence

Under the framework of the National Energy and Mining Policy launched in 2016, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has become the leading actor in offshore hydrocarbon exploration. TPAO manages a fully integrated energy strategy including exploration, drilling, well testing, reservoir development, and gas processing.

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The Role of Drillships in Turkey’s Energy Future

✅ Reducing energy imports
✅ Utilizing domestic energy resources
✅ Strengthening energy supply security
✅ Enhancing geopolitical leverage
✅ Becoming a key player in global energy diplomacy

Thanks to this strategic fleet, Turkey is moving toward becoming not just a consumer, but also a producer and exporter of energy.

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