Turkey boosts Black Sea gas output, targets expansion in Bulgaria, Somalia, Caspian

Turkey's daily natural gas output from its flagship Sakarya field in the Black Sea has climbed to approximately 9.5 million cubic metres, according to Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, as the country accelerates its energy ambitions domestically and internationally.

Speaking in the northern province of Giresun, Bayraktar said that Turkey expects to finalise a deal next month, enabling state energy company TPAO and an international partner to explore a section of the Black Sea off the coast of neighbouring Bulgaria.

"We are nearing the final stages of an agreement in Bulgaria's economic zone. Most likely next month, TPAO and a foreign company will sign a deal for exploration rights in Bulgarian waters," he noted.

The Sakarya field accounted for about 6.6 per cent of Turkey's total gas consumption of 53 billion cubic metres last year, according to Reuters estimates.

He added that Turkey, which relies on imports for over 90 per cent of its energy requirements, is focused on reducing this dependency and enhancing energy security by tapping into domestic reserves and expanding international collaborations in oil and gas exploration.

Bayraktar said Ankara is eyeing two new offshore fields in the Caspian Sea region, including areas in Azerbaijan, as well as new fields in northern and southern Iraq.

In Somalia, where Turkey recently signed an oil and gas exploration agreement, seismic data collection is expected to wrap up by the end of May, with a decision on drilling anticipated by the end of the year. Turkey has also expanded its operations there by adding three onshore blocks to its existing offshore licences.

"The seismic survey offshore Somalia will likely be completed by the end of May, and by year-end, we will decide on drilling," he said.

TPAO has also signed agreements with Pakistani firms to jointly pursue offshore exploration licences in Pakistan. Additionally, Ankara is looking to forge partnerships to develop oil and gas fields in Turkmenistan, from where it recently resumed natural gas imports.