Turkey’s energy minister says new gas find in Black Sea imminent
Country announces total gas discovery of 540 billion cubic meters in Black Sea over course of one year
Turkey will soon announce a significant natural gas discovery in the Black Sea, the country’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez said Tuesday.
'Natural gas is being used in Turkey's 81 provinces right now. The countdown has started for good news about another natural gas discovery that will increase the amount and value of our [previous] discoveries in the Black Sea,' Donmez said.
The minister’s confirmation comes on the heels of an earlier natural gas find of around 540 billion cubic meters (bcm) in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea.
Turkey’s 405 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas find in the Sakarya field was made last year by the country’s drillship, Fatih. In June, a second discovery of 135 bcm was made, bringing the cumulative gas discovery to 540 bcm.
These discoveries are significant for the country, which is very dependent on expensive imports to meet its energy demand.
The country has boosted its renewable capacity in the last few years, and of the 3,144 megawatts of new capacity additions since the beginning of this year, 97.5% are derived from renewables.
Turkey added three new renewable energy facilities comprising solar, biomass and hybrid energy with a capacity of 607 megawatts in southeastern Adiyaman, eastern Bingol and northwestern Balikesir on Tuesday.