Türkiye’s natural gas discovery in Black Sea increased local production by 113%
Turkey's Fatih (L) and Kanuni drillships are seen in the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea, Türkiye, July 29, 2021. (AA Photo)
The amount of natural gas produced and fed into the system in Türkiye last year surged by 113% compared to the previous year, reaching 807.3 million cubic meters.
This increase is part of Türkiye’s strategy to reduce energy dependence, close the current account deficit and curb inflation.
Black Sea discoveries impacting production
According to data compiled from the Energy Market Regulatory Authority’s (EMRA) annual natural gas report, Türkiye’s natural gas discoveries in the Black Sea have begun to impact production.
As of September 2023, Türkiye started producing and supplying natural gas discovered in the Black Sea, increasing the production.
Licensed producers driving growth
Eight companies holding domestic wholesale licenses are authorized to produce natural gas. These include:
- Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO)
- Arar Petroleum and Gas Exploration Production Marketing Inc.
- Park Place Energy Limited
- Thrace Basin Natural Gas Corporation Türkiye
- Petrogas
- Atli Machinery Construction Transport Mining Tourism Natural Energy Resources Production Industry and Trade Inc.
- Marsa Türkiye B.V.
- Transatlantic Petroleum Crude Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production Inc.
The amount of natural gas produced and fed into the system by these companies increased last year.
TPAO, Thrace Basin Natural Gas Corporation Türkiye, and Park Place Energy Limited were the leading producers.
Historical production data
Türkiye’s natural gas production has varied in recent years, recorded as 473.9 million cubic meters in 2019, 441.3 million cubic meters in 2020, 394.4 million cubic meters in 2021, and 379.8 million cubic meters in 2022.
Regional Contributions
Among the provinces where licensed companies offered the produced gas for sale, Zonguldak stood out with 337.8 million cubic meters of Black Sea gas. It was followed by:
- Tekirdag with 243.3 million cubic meters
- Kirklareli with 108.7 million cubic meters
- Düzce with 55.9 million cubic meters
- Istanbul with 55.9 million cubic meters
- Hatay with 4,000 cubic meters (the least contribution among the 10 provinces where production occurred)
Distribution of produced gas
According to the report, the natural gas produced last year was supplied to industrial and commercial enterprises, distribution companies, import companies, wholesale companies, and companies with licenses for compressed natural gas from wellheads in the production regions.
Ongoing work in Sakarya gas field
Production at the Sakarya Gas Field, an area of approximately 10,000 square kilometers (3861.02 square miles), currently spans 2,200 square kilometers (849.4 square miles). Türkiye has begun production in 25% of the total area and continues its activities in the region.
