Türkiye plans 270 drilling operations in 2025 to boost oil, gas production

Türkiye has outlined an ambitious plan for energy production in 2025, setting a target of drilling 270 wells across land and maritime zones, including the Mediterranean waters around Turkish Cyprus.

This intensified focus on local oil and gas resources aims to reduce energy imports and strengthen Türkiye’s energy independence, as highlighted in the “2025 Presidential Annual Program” released by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance and the Presidency’s Strategy and Budget Office.

Significant oil discoveries drive increased domestic production

The Gabar region has been a focal point of recent oil discoveries. According to the program, Türkiye’s cumulative oil reserves from recent findings in Gabar have reached approximately 867 million barrels.

These discoveries, made between 2021 and 2023, have allowed Türkiye to accelerate domestic production significantly. As of September, production from wells in the area stands at around 48,100 barrels per day, with total output in Gabar over the past three years reaching 17.1 million barrels.

Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Oct. 7 that national daily oil production has reached nearly 110,000 barrels. Projections indicate that this output could increase to 172,000 barrels daily by 2025, aligning with Türkiye’s strategic goals for energy security and sustainability.

Gas production set to reach 3 billion cubic meters

Türkiye’s natural gas production has also seen a remarkable uptick. In 2023, the nation recorded a 109% year-on-year increase in gas production, totaling 852 million cubic meters. Domestic production currently meets around 1.7% of national consumption.

Plans for 2025 aim to boost gas output to 3 billion cubic meters annually, which would help offset the need for imported gas and contribute to stabilizing domestic energy costs.

Offshore and land drilling intensified across Türkiye and Turkish Cyprus

The upcoming year will see increased exploration and drilling activities across Türkiye’s land and maritime territories, including the territorial waters around Turkish Cyprus. The initiative includes:

• 270 planned wells for oil and gas drilling, covering both land and sea.
• 21,000 square kilometers of seismic data collection to identify further viable resources.

The Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources will lead this project, employing state-of-the-art drilling technologies and engaging in strategic partnerships to maximize output and efficiency.

Summary of 2025 production goals

In line with the new annual program, Türkiye’s energy sector targets the following for 2025:

• Daily oil production at 172,000 barrels, marking a substantial increase.
• Annual natural gas production of 3 billion cubic meters.
• Extensive seismic data collection across 21,000 km² to support future exploration efforts.