Minister: Turkey's Oruç Reis vessel reaches destination for seismic research

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Turkey's MTA Oruç Reis seismic vessel has reached its new destination for conducting seismic research activity in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez said on Monday.

"Our MTA Oruç Reis seismic research vessel reached the operation area after departing from Antalya, for its new mission in Mediterranean. 83 million Turkish people support you, Oruç reis," Dönmez wrote on Twitter.

Turkey previously issued NAVTEX on July 21 as well but later stated that is suspended its drilling activities and was ready to talk with Grece.

CLICK - Turkey suspends eastern Mediterranean drilling, says it's ready to talk with Greece

Dönmez said that the search activities in Mediterranean and Black Sea will continue nonstop for achieving Turkey's "energy independence."

As part of the country's hydrocarbon exploration activities, Turkey announced the drillship MTA Oruç Reis' new seismic research activity in the Eastern Mediterranean via NAVTEX (navigational telex) starting August 10, 2020.

Oruç Reis will continue its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean with Cengiz Han and Ataman vessels until August 23.

The vessel can sail non-stop for 35 days. It has a helicopter pad, hydrography and oceanography features and it has the ability to scan the sea-floor up to depth of 15,000 meters.

Turkey has consistently contested the Southern Cyprus administration's drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that Northern Cyprus also has rights to the resources in the area. (PT/VK)