Turkiye has discovered 75 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the Black Sea, a find President Erdogan says could meet residential needs for 3.5 years.
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| Turkiye’s latest energy breakthrough: a 75 bcm natural gas find in the Black Sea, reinforcing Ankara’s pursuit of full energy independence, says President Erdogan. Image Courtesy: AA/ DS |
ISTANBUL, Turkiye — May 18, 2025:
Turkiye has made a significant new energy discovery in the Black Sea, uncovering a natural gas reserve of 75 billion cubic meters (bcm), President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday. The discovery was made at the Goktepe-3 well, drilled by the country's state-of-the-art vessel, the Abdulhamid Han, which began operations at the site on March 27.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital, Erdogan emphasized the magnitude of the find and its potential impact on domestic energy needs. “We have discovered a new natural gas reserve of 75 billion cubic meters in the field. With this amount, we will be able to meet the residential demand alone for approximately 3.5 years,” he said.
The new discovery marks another step in Turkiye's ongoing effort to reduce its dependence on energy imports. Erdogan reaffirmed his administration's ambition to achieve full energy independence, saying, “We will continue on our path without stopping, without resting, and without paying heed to criticism or obstacles until we reach our goal of a fully energy-independent Turkiye.”
The Goktepe-3 well is one of several offshore projects Turkiye is actively pursuing in the Black Sea region. The Abdulhamid Han, a seventh-generation ultra-deepwater drillship, played a key role in this latest success, reinforcing the nation’s growing technical capacity in offshore energy exploration.
Turkiye's latest find follows earlier Black Sea gas discoveries, which have been central to the country’s energy strategy. As global energy markets face growing uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, domestic production is increasingly viewed by Ankara as vital to economic stability and national security.
Officials in Ankara have long cited the strategic importance of building up the country’s natural gas reserves to insulate against foreign supply disruptions and reduce energy costs. With this latest development, Turkiye strengthens its position as a regional energy player, bolstering both its economy and geopolitical leverage.
The government is expected to announce additional exploration plans in the coming months, as Turkiye continues to invest heavily in energy infrastructure and offshore drilling capabilities.