Turkey’s progress in the energy sector is reflected in unprecedented growth, as shown by the crude oil and natural gas production index, which reached a record high in June, according to official data.
This milestone reflects years of strategic advances and discoveries that have transformed the country’s energy landscape.
The calendar-adjusted crude oil and natural gas production index rose to 147.8 in June, a sharp jump from 115.7 in the same month of 2023, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).
The pace of oil and gas production in Turkey has increased significantly in recent years. The index, which first reached 69.6 in January 2005, fluctuated around 75 on average until 2021.
However, the tide turned after Turkey discovered the largest natural gas deposit in its history in the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea in 2020. By December of the same year, the production index rose to 99.4 and in May 2021 it exceeded the 100-point mark for the first time.
Another boost to the index was the discovery of crude oil in the Gabar mountain region of Sirnak, a southeastern province, in 2022. The index rose to 112.9 in December of the same year and reached 146.1 in March 2024, an increase of 32.2% year-on-year.
This upward trend reached its peak in June.
Strategic push for further exploration
The foundation for these achievements was laid in 2017, when the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) commissioned Turkey’s first national drilling vessel, the Fatih, said Aziz Camcı, chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Platform Association (PETFORM).
Speaking to Anadolu News Agency (AA), Camcı stressed that the gas discovery by the Fatih drilling ship in the Black Sea in August 2020 marked a turning point for the Turkish energy sector.
“At the time of the first discovery, Turkey’s total natural gas production was around 440 million cubic meters. Today, the Sakarya gas field alone produces 5.5 million cubic meters per day, meeting the needs of 2.4 million households,” he explained.
Camcı also emphasized the importance of the crude oil discovery in Gabar Mountain, which he said was among the top 10 largest onshore oil reserves discovered worldwide in 2022.
Estimated reserves at Gabar amount to about 150 million barrels of high-quality crude oil, and daily production was 45,000 barrels in June this year.
Camcı recalled the government’s goal of increasing total production to over 200,000 barrels per day, including 100,000 barrels per day at Gabar.
Outside Şırnak in the Southeastern Anatolia region, exploration activities continue with great potential, Camcı added.
“Given Turkey’s oil consumption of about 1 million barrels per day, it is expected that Gabar oil alone could meet 10% of that demand and account for 20% of the country’s total oil production once targets are met.”
Reducing energy dependence
Camcı stressed that Turkey will continue to pursue its oil and gas exploration efforts and plans to intensify its activities in both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.
The ongoing discovery of new sites and exploration in the Western, Central and Eastern Black Sea demonstrate the country’s determination to secure its energy future.
Camcı also noted that Turkey’s dependence on foreign energy sources will decrease with the momentum of increasing oil and gas production.
He stressed that Turkey has the potential to further increase its oil and natural gas production index. The production gains achieved under the TPAO have opened up new opportunities for both existing and foreign investors, he added.
He stressed that, in addition to national organizations, the private sector should play a more active role in exploration and production activities.
“New discoveries bring new investments,” Camcı concluded. “Turkey has untapped potential both on land and at sea. Expanding our capabilities in terms of manpower, equipment and technology will enable us to continue making significant progress in energy production.”
