Türkiye’s advancements and discoveries in the energy sector are positively reflected in the country’s statistics, with the crude oil and natural gas extraction index reaching a record high of 147.8 in June.
According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the index for calendar-adjusted crude oil and natural gas extraction, increased to 147.8 in June, up from 115.7 in June 2023.
In Türkiye, where the extraction of crude oil and natural gas has accelerated, the index, initially recorded at 69.6 in January 2005, averaged around 75 until 2021.
Following the country’s largest natural gas discovery in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea in 2020, the index, which increased to 99.4 in December of that year, surpassed the 100 threshold for the first time in May 2021.
The index was recorded at 112.9 in December 2022, following the discovery of crude oil in Gabar Mountain, located in Türkiye’s southeastern province Sirnak.
Meanwhile, the index, which climbed to 146.1 in March 2024, marking a 32.2% increase year-over-year, reached a peak of 147.8 in June.
– ‘Türkiye to continue oil and natural gas exploration with determination’
The foundation for this increase was established in 2017 when Türkiye’s first national drill ship, Fatih, joined the fleet of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Aziz Camci, chairperson of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Platform Association, PETFORM, told Anadolu.
Camci stated that record production increases were observed following the largest natural gas discovery in Turkish history in the Sakarya Gas Field by the Fatih drilling ship in August 21, 2020.
‘While Türkiye’s total natural gas production was approximately 440 million cubic meters upon first discovery, production from the Sakarya Gas Field alone has reached 5.5 million cubic meters per day since the field began operations,’ Camci said.
This production level is sufficient to meet the needs of 2.4 million households.
Camci also noted that the crude oil discovery in the Gabar Mountain region of Sirnak in 2022 was among the top 10 largest onshore oil reserves discovered that year, with an estimated size of approximately 150 million barrels and high quality.
He further highlighted that daily crude oil production from Gabar alone reached 45,000 barrels in June this year. In Gabar, one of primary objectives is to achieve a total daily production of over 200,000 barrels.
Exploration activities with high potential are ongoing outside Sirnak in the Southeastern Anatolia regio, he said and added, ‘Given that Türkiye’s oil consumption is approximately 1 million barrels per day, it is anticipated that Gabar oil alone could meet 10% of this consumption and account for 20% of the country’s total oil production once the targeted levels are achieved.’
Emphasizing that oil and natural gas exploration activities will accelerate, Camci highlighted that further oil and gas exploration in the Black Sea and the discovery of new oil and gas sites in the Western, Central, and Eastern Black Seas, along with ongoing operations in the Mediterranean, underscores Türkiye’s continued commitment to advancing its oil and natural gas exploration efforts.
Camci also noted that through this momentum from the increase in oil and natural gas production, Türkiye’s foreign energy dependence will decrease.
Stating that Türkiye has the potential to further increase its oil and natural gas extraction index, Camci pointed out that the production gains achieved under TPAO’s leadership have created opportunities for both existing investors and foreign direct investors.
He also noted that investor interest in the nation is growing, irrespective of domestic or foreign distinctions, and alongside national organizations, the private sector should play a more active role in exploration and production activities.
‘New discoveries attract investments. In Türkiye, there are numerous areas with potential, both in our seas and on land. We should enhance our existing capacity in terms of workforce, equipment, and technology, and focus on pursuing new discoveries,’ Camci concluded.
