ANKARA
The first Turkish-made seismic-survey vessel, Turkuaz, is to be launched this weekend in Istanbul.
Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said Thursday that the new vessel, worth 300 million liras ($115 million), is highly important for the country's economic and political interests.
"The vessel will increase our gas and oil search potential in the region, besides searching for potential mining in our seas," said Yildiz.
In addition to oil and gas search activities, Turkuaz will also carry out climate change and ecologic research under the state-owned Mineral Research and Exploration General Directorate.
It will also perform comprehensive underwater search activities with a remote-controlled system.
Turkuaz, at 86 meters long and 23 meters wide, will serve for at least 30 years with 50 crew. It has the capacity to operate uninterrupted for 35 days away from land.
