Turkey Oil Production Surges to 132,000 Barrels Daily
Turkey’s daily oil production reached 132,000 barrels in March 2025. This milestone marks significant progress in the nation’s energy sector. With increased drilling and advanced technology, the country aims to boost domestic output. The goal is to meet rising demand, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Saturday.
Expanding Exploration Efforts
Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), Bayraktar emphasized that 153 oil exploration wells are scheduled for drilling this year. These projects will primarily focus on the Gabar region in Şırnak, as well as Van, Diyarbakır, and areas along the Turkey-Syria border.
Since the historic oil discovery in Gabar in 2021, production from 95 operational wells has reached 78,000 barrels daily. This expansion aligns with Turkey’s long-term goal of energy independence. The country is leveraging domestic resources to strengthen the economy. Bayraktar highlighted that the increased output now contributes approximately $2 billion annually.
Sakarya Gas Field: Strengthening Energy Security
Alongside oil production, Turkey has enhanced its natural gas supply. The Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea was discovered in 2020. Gas production from the field started within just 32 months. Currently, daily production stands at 7 million cubic meters (mcm), enough to supply 3 million households.
Bayraktar stated that by the end of March, production capacity will rise to 9.5 mcm daily. The government’s long-term plan is to increase output to 20 mcm by mid-2026. This amount would cover the daily gas needs of 8.5 million households. By 2028, the Sakarya Gas Field aims to meet the gas demands of all Turkish households.
Enhancing Energy Infrastructure
Turkey continues to expand its energy fleet. In September 2024, the country integrated a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) unit. Currently, it is undergoing maintenance in Çanakkale. The FPSO will be deployed to Filyos in May before being transported to the Black Sea in late 2026. This unit will process an additional 10 mcm of natural gas daily for the next 20 years.
Investment in Energy Sector
The government has allocated TL 259 billion ($7.1 billion) for energy sector investments in 2025. Of this amount, TL 140.7 billion will support oil and gas exploration and production. Meanwhile, TL 45.8 billion is designated for gas storage and transmission infrastructure.
Turkey is advancing offshore drilling with a growing fleet. The country operates four drilling ships and two seismic research vessels. Key assets include the seismic vessels Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa and Oruç Reis, along with the drilling ships Fatih, Yavuz, Kanuni, and Abdülhamid Han. With this strategy, Turkey ensures sustainable energy production and strengthens its position as a regional energy hub.
