Türkiye has recently bolstered its energy landscape with the announcement of a significant natural gas discovery in the Black Sea. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revealed on Saturday that exploration efforts yielded 75 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, a finding he claims will satisfy the energy needs of Turkish households for approximately 3.5 years. Based on current market evaluations, this reserve is estimated to be worth around $30 billion.
The discovery occurred at the Göktepe-3 well, approximately 3,500 meters deep and located 69 kilometers west of the Sakarya Gas Field, which serves as Türkiye’s primary natural gas hub. The drilling was conducted using Türkiye’s state-of-the-art drilling ship, the Abdülhamid Han, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy exploration initiatives.
Erdoğan emphasized Türkiye’s ambition to achieve energy independence and reduce reliance on imports, a sentiment echoed by Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar. He stated, “Our route is clear, fully independent Türkiye in energy,” highlighting the focus on domestic resource development and enhancing energy security through international collaborations.
Experts in energy strategies, such as Oğuzhan Akyener from the Türkiye Energy Strategies and Policies Research Center (TESPAM), noted that the Black Sea remains a region of untapped potential with various fields being explored for their reserve capacities. Akyener commented on the economic significance of the recent discovery, indicating that as Türkiye places more of its reserves into production, the country will gradually decrease its dependence on imported energy.
Furthermore, as Türkiye transitions from being a natural gas importer to a potential exporter, it is actively pursuing new markets for its energy supplies, including recent initiatives to export gas to Syria and continued shipments to neighboring Balkan countries. This shift not only enhances Türkiye’s energy dynamics at home but also strengthens its diplomatic leverage in the international arena.
Overall, this discovery represents a promising step for Türkiye as it seeks to solidify its position as a key player in global energy markets, providing hope for a future of greater self-sufficiency and economic stability.