Fatih, a deepwater drillship, continues its exploration activities in Turkey. Anadolu via Getty Images
Fatih, a deepwater drillship, continues its exploration activities in Turkey. Anadolu via Getty Images
Fatih, a deepwater drillship, continues its exploration activities in Turkey. Anadolu via Getty Images
Fatih, a deepwater drillship, continues its exploration activities in Turkey. Anadolu via Getty Images

More gas discoveries expected in Turkey after $30bn reserve find


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

More gas discoveries are expected in Turkey after the country announced a new reserve as Ankara looks to expand its domestic production, according to experts.

Turkey on Saturday said a new gas reserve was discovered in the Black Sea with 75 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas and an economic value of about $30 billion. It was found in the Goktepe-3 well at a depth of 3,500 metres.

The reserve is expected to meet Turkey’s home gas needs for three and a half years, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

“It is expected that further exploration efforts (both for conventional and unconventional gas) will result in additional discoveries and will help reducing Turkey’s import dependency,” Sohbet Karbuz, director of natural resources and energy security at Paris based Mediterranean Association for Energy told The National.

The phase-1 of the Sakarya field development is being completed, with production from 12 wells reaching almost 10 million cubic metres (mcm) a day.

“Phase-2 will bring the total production to 20 mcm per day next year. By 2028, the production from the field is expected to reach the plateau level of 40 mcm per day, which is equivalent to around 14 bcm per year,” he added.

The latest find comes after the country revealed another field in the Black Sea with a gas reserve of 320 bcm in 2020.

“The new field is not as big as the Sakarya field which was discovered in 2020,” Robin Mills, chief executive of Qamar Energy told The National.

“It's reported as being at Goktepe, which was the name of the original wells in Sakarya, so it may be an additional discovery in the same field,” he said.

The new discovery is expected to make a “a useful contribution, especially as Turkey had almost no domestic production before Sakarya”, Mr Mills said.

Turkey, which imports more than 95 per cent of all the natural gas it needs, is pushing to reduce its reliance on external sources, Mr Karbuz said. It is seeking to boost supply security by developing domestic resources and expanding international partnerships in oil and gas exploration.

Last year, Turkey consumed 53 bcm of gas, with its own production only accounting for about 2.3 bcm. It imports gas from Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran through pipelines. It also relies on liquefied natural gas from other countries.

Turkey on Saturday announced a new gas discovery in the Black Sea with a total reserve of 75 billion cubic metres of natural gas, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reuters
Turkey on Saturday announced a new gas discovery in the Black Sea with a total reserve of 75 billion cubic metres of natural gas, according to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reuters

The new discovery “enhances Turkey's energy security by providing a more stable and self-reliant energy supply, less susceptible to geopolitical tensions and market fluctuations”, Rania Gule, senior market analyst at brokerage firm XS.com, said.

It is also “likely to attract foreign direct investment and stimulate economic growth” as well as position “Turkey as a potential energy hub in the region, facilitating the transit of gas from neighboring countries to European markets through key pipelines like the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP)”.

Turkey is also creating new partnerships with other countries to diversify its supply chain.

Earlier this year, it signed an agreement with Turkmenistan to enable the flow of Turkmen natural gas to Turkey, Reuters reported, quoting Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar.

It aims to buy up to 2 bcm of gas annually from Turkmenistan, with the gas expected to be transported through Iran's existing natural gas network.

A separate project to build a gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea from Turkmenistan to Azerbaijan and further to Turkey is also being discussed as part of long-term co-operation between the countries.

Demand for natural gas has been continuing to rise globally as countries seek to cut emissions and reduce global warming.

Shell's 2025 LNG Outlook forecasts a 60 per cent increase in global demand for the fuel by 2040, driven by Asian economic growth, emissions reductions in industry and transport, and the rise of AI.

The consumption of the fuel – considered a cleaner alternative to coal and crude oil – is expected to reach 630 million tonnes to 718 million tonnes a year by 2040, compared with 407 million tonnes last year, Shell said.

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

While you're here
If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

THE BIO

Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

Favourite Book: The Alchemist

Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna

Favourite cuisine: Italian food

Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman

 

 

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

FORSPOKEN
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being

Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.

As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.

Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.

Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.

Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.

However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.

“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.

People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.

Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card

6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m​​​​​​​
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m​​​​​​​
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m​​​​​​​
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m​​​​​​​
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Predictions

Predicted winners for final round of games before play-offs:

  • Friday: Delhi v Chennai - Chennai
  • Saturday: Rajasthan v Bangalore - Bangalore
  • Saturday: Hyderabad v Kolkata - Hyderabad
  • Sunday: Delhi v Mumbai - Mumbai
  • Sunday - Chennai v Punjab - Chennai

Final top-four (who will make play-offs): Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore

The specs

Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel

Power: 579hp

Torque: 859Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh825,900

On sale: Now

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)

Nancy Ajram

(In2Musica)

Dubai World Cup Carnival card

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m

The National selections:

6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir

WIDE%20VIEW
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Updated: May 18, 2025, 12:27 PM`