Türkiye strengthens global oil, gas exploration with agreements in 4 countries
Turkish drilling ship Kanuni is seen at the port of Haydarpasa in Istanbul, Türkiye, Oct. 19, 2020. (Reuters Photo)
Türkiye, with one of the world’s largest deep-sea drilling fleets, expands its oil and gas exploration activities through four new agreements with Azerbaijan, Iraq, Russia and Somalia.
Türkiye expands its energy portfolio worldwide
Türkiye’s state-owned energy company, Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), is actively pursuing international partnerships to explore and produce oil and gas.
The country has signed key agreements to tap into new energy reserves and strengthen its global energy portfolio.
Azerbaijan
Türkiye enters four significant agreements with Azerbaijan.
- Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) Project: A major oil field development.
- Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Project: A crucial pipeline transporting Caspian Sea oil to the Mediterranean.
- Shah Deniz Project: One of the world’s largest gas-condensate fields.
- South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) Project: A pipeline transporting gas from the Shah Deniz field to Türkiye and Europe.
Iraq
TPAO signed three agreements with Iraq, with projects focused on oil and gas exploration and production in Iraq’s key energy regions.
- Missan Project
- Badra Project
- Siba Project
Russia
An agreement has been reached for the Baytugan Project, expanding Türkiye’s energy exploration into Russian territory.
Somalia
Türkiye has secured a deal to explore and potentially produce oil and gas in three blocks within Somali waters. The Oruc Reis Seismic Research Vessel will begin seismic activities by late September or early October.
Türkiye’s ongoing drilling operations
Türkiye’s deep-sea fleet, which includes the Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdulhamid Han drilling ships, is actively engaged in multiple exploration and drilling operations.
In the Black Sea, these vessels are part of the Sakarya Gas Field Development Project, with operations ongoing at various locations like Turkali-20, Turkali-11, and Turkali-26.
- Oruc Reis seismic research vessel: Currently conducting survey operations in the Western Black Sea for the Kıyıkoy Nuclear Power Plant project.
- Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa seismic research vessel: Engaged in seismic data collection for the Guzelkent-3B project.
Looking ahead: Who will be Türkiye’s next partner?
TPAO plans to continue expanding its exploration activities globally, with new potential partnerships in countries like Algeria, Libya, Niger, Malaysia and Venezuela.
In 2024, the company aims to drill 96 exploration and production wells, both onshore and offshore, reflecting Türkiye’s commitment to becoming a major energy hub.
