Turkey set to initiate oil drilling in southeastern shale regions within a few weeks
In a significant stride towards expanding its hydrocarbon resource base and energy supply security, Turkey is actively advancing shale oil and gas exploration in the Diyarbakır Basin and the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea.
The government has plans to start its first vertical shale oil well drilling within weeks, targeting a 600-square-kilometer area north of Bismil in Diyarbakır. The aim is to drill a total of 24 wells over the next three years, including horizontal drilling and fracturing, to unlock an estimated 4 to 6 billion barrels of shale oil and gas potential in the basin.
Meanwhile, Turkey's Sakarya Gas Field is progressing with the second phase of development. The new phase, via the Osman Gazi platform, aims to increase gas production from roughly 9.5 to 20 million cubic meters daily by mid-2026, boosting Turkey’s domestic gas supply. A second floating production platform is under construction and scheduled to arrive from East Asia by December 2027, ensuring sustained production growth.
The arrival of the first vessel in September will increase the number of deepwater drilling ships in the Black Sea to five. The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry plans to drill 24 wells over three years as part of the horizontal drilling program in the Diyarbakır Basin.
Turkey's efforts to boost hydrocarbon production and exploration are evident in the acquisition of two new seventh-generation deepwater drilling vessels, bringing the total number of its drillships to six. These new drilling ships are part of Turkey's ambitions to cut its energy import bill and improve supply security by developing domestic resources and expanding international partnerships in oil and gas exploration.
In March, Turkey signed agreements with U.S.-based Continental Resources and TransAtlantic Petroleum for shale oil development in the Diyarbakır Basin and shale gas in the Thrace region. The country also has exploration agreements with Libya and Somalia for potential oil and gas projects. The second vessel may be used in exploration projects abroad, including in countries such as Libya and Somalia.
The Sakarya Gas Field is estimated to contain 710 billion cubic meters of gas. Once production of the Sakarya Gas Field reaches total capacity, it will meet approximately 30% of Turkey's annual gas needs. With the arrival of the second floating production platform, the field's production capacity is expected to enter its third phase with the addition of a new platform, scheduled to be operational by June 2028.
Turkey's ambitious energy plans reflect its commitment to securing a stable energy supply and reducing dependence on imports. The country's progress in shale oil and gas exploration and the expansion of the Sakarya Gas Field are key steps in this direction.
[1] Anadolu Agency. (2022, July 25). Turkey to start shale oil drilling in Diyarbakır in a few weeks. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-to-start-shale-oil-drilling-in-diyarbakir-in-a-few-weeks/2362961
[2] Anadolu Agency. (2022, August 18). Turkey's second floating production platform for Sakarya gas field to arrive in 2028. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-s-second-floating-production-platform-for-sakarya-gas-field-to-arrive-in-2028/2366098
[3] Anadolu Agency. (2022, August 11). Turkey to drill 24 wells over 3 years in Diyarbakır Basin. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-to-drill-24-wells-over-3-years-in-diyarbakir-basin/2365038
[4] Anadolu Agency. (2022, July 27). Turkey to increase number of deepwater drilling ships in Black Sea to five. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-to-increase-number-of-deepwater-drilling-ships-in-black-sea-to-five/2362991
[5] Anadolu Agency. (2022, August 10). Turkey to rank 4th in world with deep-sea energy fleet. Retrieved from https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-to-rank-4th-in-world-with-deep-sea-energy-fleet/2364799
The government has plans to drill a total of 24 wells over the next three years in the Diyarbakır Basin, with the aim of unlocking an estimated 4 to 6 billion barrels of shale oil and gas potential. This ambition is part of Turkey's deliberate efforts to reduce dependencies on energy imports and expand its domestic oil-and-gas industry. Meanwhile, the Sakarya Gas Field, estimated to contain 710 billion cubic meters of gas, is expected to meet approximately 30% of Turkey's annual gas needs upon reaching its total production capacity. The expansion of both shale oil exploration in the Diyarbakır Basin and the Sakarya Gas Field reflects Turkey's commitment to securing a stable energy supply and increasing its standing in the world's oil-and-gas industry.
