Turkish minister Bayraktar announces major steps toward energy independence

Alparslan Bayraktar, Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, discussed the country’s energy strategies and upcoming projects during an interview on CNN Turk.

Bayraktar detailed several key initiatives, including hydrocarbon exploration abroad, domestic oil production, nuclear energy expansion, and a major gold production project in Niger set to launch by 2025.

Gold production set to begin in Niger by 2025

Minister Bayraktar announced that Türkiye will commence gold production in Niger by 2025, marking a significant step in diversifying its resource base. Bayraktar also noted that exploration activities have been completed and production planning is underway.

“Oil production in Türkiye has exceeded 110 thousand barrels. We produce oil in different geographies.” Minister Bayraktar said.

“We continue to work on oil, natural gas and mines in Niger, Sudan and Somalia. We will start our first gold production in Niger in 2025. We have passed the exploration phase. We are currently working on different fields,” he added.

Expansion of oil, gas exploration efforts

Bayraktar highlighted ongoing hydrocarbon exploration projects in Somalia, Sudan, and other African countries. He noted the deployment of the Oruc Reis vessel, built domestically in Turkish shipyards, for seismic surveys off the coast of Somalia.

The data collection phase is expected to last six to seven months before potential drilling operations commence.

There is a special situation in Somalia. In the big picture, our presence in Somalia and other geographies is a reflection of our policy to reduce our dependence on foreign energy. Somalia was one of the most dangerous countries in the world in 2012.

President Erdogan traveled there with his family at that time. As Türkiye, we are going to Somalia for a very big offshore exploration project. Türkiye will search for hydrocarbons.

For the first time in our history, we will be doing this activity in other countries with our own ships. Oruc Reis is a ship built in Turkish shipyards. The work we have done there with all relevant institutions of our state is very valuable.

We have started these activities in Somalia.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources of Türkiye

“Our ships are focusing on new drilling activities for discoveries. The Abdulhamid Han vessel started drilling in the Amasra region today.” Bayraktar added.

Record oil production, Black Sea gas discovery

Türkiye’s domestic oil production has reached over 110,000 barrels per day, marking a new high for the country. Bayraktar noted that increased production from the Shah Deniz project and other sites across North Africa is key to sustaining this output.

Additionally, he highlighted the significance of the 2020 Black Sea gas discovery, which was one of the largest offshore finds in recent history.

Black Sea gas is the biggest discovery made at sea in 2020. It is also worth mentioning the road to get there. After 2016, we made a paradigm shift in exploration. We actually have exploration in the Black Sea. We had them in 2005-2011-2014. In 2016, we said let’s change the strategy. We received the effect and result of this change in 2020, when the Fatih Ship drilled the TUNA 1 well.”

“In August 2021, our President shared it with the public. We brought that gas to Filyos from a distance of 170 kilometers. We gave the gas to our natural gas networks as of the end of August last year. We have reached 7 million cubic meters. 2.8 million households’ natural gas is produced as our own gas.”

“We are producing 8 million cubic meters of gas, we have 20 million households, 3 million of which are already using our own gas. In the first phase, our production should increase to 9-10 million cubic meters. This means an annual production of 3.5 billion cubic meters. The ship coming from Singapore will bring an additional 10 million cubic meters in the second phase.”

“Currently, we carry the gas from the wellheads at depth on the seabed to land and process it on land. With the ship, we will take it from the seabed to the sea surface, send it to land and connect it directly to the grid.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources of Türkiye

When we go to Somalia, we receive calls from some international companies saying, ‘If we were in Somalia, could we benefit from your ships?’ We express that we are open to international partnerships. We express that we are open to international partnerships.”

“The goal in the 2016 strategic document, which Mr. Berat Albayrak laid the foundations for, is the most comprehensive and holistic strategic document in the history of the Republic. As Türkiye, we need to end our dependence on foreign energy.”

“Our industry needs to produce high value-added products. I am talking without getting into the geopolitical side of things. The target in this document is domestic resources, renewable resources. It is a document that includes all these. In reducing foreign dependency on domestic coal, we cannot afford to say no to any energy source. We import 2 out of 3 units of energy.”

“Türkiye has needs, its population is growing, its needs are increasing and urbanization continues. The energy needs of this country continue to increase. When we look at large-scale nuclear power plants, Russia, China and South Korea are important countries in nuclear power.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources of Türkiye

Since then, Türkiye has started delivering gas from the Black Sea fields to its national grid, supplying up to 7 million cubic meters of natural gas daily, covering the needs of 2.8 million households. Bayraktar expects production to increase to 9–10 million cubic meters per day in the next phase, with further expansions planned.

BP – 29,99 %	NICO – 10%
TPAO – 19 %	LUKOIL – 19,99 %
SOCAR – 14,35 %	SGC – 6,67 %

Nuclear energy developments, international cooperation

Addressing nuclear energy, Bayraktar underscored Türkiye’s commitment to developing a robust nuclear power program.

He cited ongoing partnerships with Russia, China and South Korea for large-scale reactors, as well as discussions with the United States for small modular reactors.

“There are major opportunities in nuclear energy. We are collaborating with key partners to establish Türkiye as a significant player in the global nuclear market,” Bayraktar said.

He mentioned that the construction of Türkiye’s first nuclear power plant is one of the largest nuclear projects globally, signaling the country’s dedication to expanding its energy infrastructure.

There are people who are against nuclear power. When we look at it realistically, there are 415 reactors operating in 31 countries. More than 30% of them are around Turkey. It is not possible to say that we are safer when we do not build nuclear. Sixty three reactors are under construction in 15 countries. We are moving toward a world where nuclear capacity will increase.”

“The world’s largest nuclear construction site is in Türkiye. We are facing various challenges. Equipment ordered by ROSATOM to Germany. The order was placed before 2020. There are no sanctions, no legal basis. The project is being hampered by the fact that the paid-for equipment is not coming to Türkiye.”

“There are developments in the U.S. regarding small modular nuclear reactors. There is an opportunity here. We cooperate with France in nuclear.

Alparslan Bayraktar, Minister of Energy & Natural Resources of Türkiye

“There is a nuclear power plant project in Egypt, and they are also working with ROSATOM. Our NUTED company has received consultancy work from Egypt. This will continue to increase even more. We are moving to the top league in the industry and contracting sector,” Alparslan Bayraktar added.

Türkiye’s vision for energy security, independence

Bayraktar concluded by emphasizing the importance of reducing Türkiye’s reliance on imported energy. He pointed to the strategic shift made in 2016, which prioritized local and renewable resources.

“We cannot afford to reject any viable energy source as we work towards meeting the growing demands of our expanding population and industrial sector,” he stated.