Can Emre Bakım emphasizes that Kaşif played a critical role aboard the Abdülhamid Han drilling vessel in the discovery of the latest natural gas reserve. Before diving into the details of the most recent operation, he outlines a broader perspective on Kaşif and its capabilities.
Bakım describes Kaşif as "one of the unsung heroes working behind the scenes." He explains that the device is essentially a "drilling robot," saying, "This robot functions like an underwater worker. Based on instructions from the drilling vessel, it performs tasks such as cutting, shaping, replacing seals at the wellhead, and cleaning when necessary. If something goes wrong below, Kaşif is also responsible for the highly critical task of rapidly sealing off the well." According to Bakım, just as a worker meticulously builds a construction with tools in hand, like an intricate piece of lacework, Kaşif is capable of performing similarly precise tasks at depths of up to 3,000 meters.
In such tasks, as the geography changes, the requirements also vary accordingly. For example, the Black Sea contains extremely dense gases, while the Mediterranean has a much higher salt content. Therefore, you need to create a product that can function like a precision machine in different regions. At this point, Armelsan General Manager Can Emre Bakım highlights an interesting point. He notes that since they developed Kaşif in-house, they are able to quickly produce the most suitable solution according to the demands of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources. He points out that if the product had been sourced from abroad, such flexibility would not have been possible.
Bakım mentions that they have developed "tailored" solutions for the unmanned underwater robot and concludes his remarks as follows: "Since 2020, Kaşif has been a project that has continuously evolved and improved. Now, we are working with the Kaşif XL model. Unlike the earlier versions, it has a higher number of motors and more advanced hydraulic capabilities. So far, we have worked at depths of around 3,000 meters. However, as you know, Türkiye is also actively pursuing a very dynamic path in the energy sector. Our Oruç Reis vessel, which can conduct seismic surveys, carried out important work off the coast of Somalia. If drilling steps are taken there in the future, we want to be ready. In this regard, we have already started working on producing a new Kaşif unmanned underwater robot that can descend to depths of around 4,000 meters. These advanced robots aren't just used in the natural gas or oil sectors. They are also deployed in very diverse fields, starting with offshore wind turbines, and their global market share is steadily increasing. We are working on potential export options, particularly in Azerbaijan and the Caspian region. Gulf countries have shown significant interest as well. We aim to share news about new export developments with the public soon."
