A major development has emerged in Türkiye’s energy reserves as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the discovery of a new natural gas reserve of 75 billion cubic meters in the Black Sea.
According to a report released on Sunday, this success not only strengthens Türkiye’s energy security but also brings the country closer to its goal of becoming a central player on the global stage.
President Erdoğan stated that this gas reserve could meet domestic needs for approximately three and a half years, and its estimated financial value is around $30 billion.
The discovery was made at a depth of 3,500 meters below sea level in the Göktepe-3 well, using the technologically advanced drilling ship Abdülhamid Han. The well is located 165 kilometers from the shore and 69 kilometers west of the Sakarya gas field.
Sakarya Gas Field is currently the largest hub of natural gas production in Türkiye, with a daily output of 9.5 million cubic meters. Türkiye still meets most of its energy needs through imports, but the government aims to achieve energy self-sufficiency by developing local resources and promoting international partnerships.
According to Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Alparslan Bayraktar, “Our goal is a fully self-sufficient Türkiye, and we will continue to move forward on this path regardless of criticism or obstacles.”
Energy expert Oğuzhan Akıncı noted that this discovery is a continuation of Türkiye’s ongoing efforts in the Black Sea, where every potential reserve is being systematically explored and developed. He said that the 75 billion cubic meters of gas will not be consumed immediately but will be extracted at a rate of 5 to 6 billion cubic meters per year, covering about 7 to 8 percent of Türkiye’s annual consumption of 60 billion cubic meters.
He further added that with this new discovery, Türkiye’s total gas reserves in the Black Sea have increased from 710 billion to 785 billion cubic meters a significant boost for the national economy. Each new discovery helps reduce Türkiye’s current account deficit by decreasing energy imports. Türkiye is not only increasing local production but is also transforming into a gas-exporting country. It currently supplies gas to Balkan countries and Nakhchivan, and there are ongoing plans to export gas to Syria as well.
According to Oğuzhan Akıncı, these achievements in the energy sector have further strengthened Türkiye politically, diplomatically, and militarily. This progress supports Türkiye’s vision of becoming a regional and international energy hub.
