Türkiye is gearing up to commence drilling operations for oil in the western Black Sea, marking a significant step in the nation’s ongoing initiatives to bolster its domestic oil and natural gas reserves. According to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, the upcoming drilling project poses technical challenges and might require substantial time to complete. In a broader exploration plan, Türkiye aims to drill six exploratory wells across various sections of the Black Sea—namely the western, central, and eastern regions—by the year 2026.
Over recent years, Türkiye has significantly enhanced its offshore exploration capabilities, now boasting a fleet of six advanced deep-water drilling vessels. Several of these ships are currently engaged in extensive exploration and development activities within the Black Sea. This expansion of capabilities underlines the country’s commitment to strengthening its energy sector through increased domestic production and reduced reliance on energy imports.
In terms of natural gas production, Türkiye is set to double its output from Black Sea gas fields by the end of the current year. The country has made numerous discoveries since 2020, bringing its estimated Black Sea gas reserves to approximately 785 billion cubic meters. Presently, daily production stands at about 9.5 million cubic meters, which suffices to meet the natural gas demands of around 4 million households. The government has set an ambitious target to boost production to between 16 and 17 billion cubic meters annually by 2028.
Expanding its role as a regional energy hub, Türkiye is also focusing on enhancing its LNG infrastructure and pipeline networks. The nation is actively exploring new routes to facilitate the transportation of gas from the Middle East to European markets, thereby strengthening its position as a key energy transit point in the region. This strategic expansion not only aims to diversify energy routes but also to secure a more stable energy supply for both Türkiye and its European partners.