5th Anniversary of the Largest Natural Gas
The largest natural gas discovery in the history of Türkiye was made in the Black Sea five years ago today (August 21). Approximately 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been produced from the Sakarya Gas Field to date. Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said, “This discovery, a symbol of the legend we have written in the Blue Homeland, has opened the door to new horizons for our exploration and production activities in the energy sector.” Bayraktar noted that currently, the natural gas needs of 4 million households in Türkiye are met from the Black Sea, and stated that they aim to supply domestic gas to 16 million households by 2028. Türkiye has marked the fifth anniversary of the historic natural gas discovery in the Black Sea, the largest in its history.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated in his speech on August 21, 2020, “Türkiye has made the largest natural gas discovery in its history in the Black Sea. Our Fatih drilling ship has made the largest natural gas discovery in Türkiye’s history.” President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan shared the news of the discovery in a statement on August 21, 2020, saying, “Türkiye has made the largest natural gas discovery in its history in the Black Sea. Our Fatih Drilling Ship has discovered 320 billion cubic meters of natural gas reserves in its drilling at the Tuna-1 Well, which began on July 20, 2020.”
170-Kilometer Pipeline
Following the discovery, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources gave the green light for production in the area known as the “Sakarya Gas Field.” A 170-kilometer-long, 16-inch-diameter pipeline was constructed to bring the gas, located 170 kilometers off the coast of Zonguldak at a depth of 2,200 meters, to shore. Domestic gas was brought ashore on April 20, 2023. Total Production Reaches 4 Billion Cubic Meters
Production is carried out from 12 wells in the Sakarya Gas Field as part of Phase 1 work. With a daily production of 9.5 million cubic meters, a total of approximately 4 billion cubic meters has been produced from the field to date.
Osman Gazi Will Double Production
Phase 2 to increase production is still ongoing. In this phase, the Osman Gazi Floating Production Platform is getting ready to take on an important role. The natural gas produced in Phase 2 will be processed at the Osman Gazi Floating Production Platform. With the gas processed at Osman Gazi and transported to shore, the current production capacity will be doubled to 20 million cubic meters per day.
Second Floating Production Platform for Phase 3
The gas to be produced under Phase 3 is also planned to be processed by the second floating production platform, which is expected to be commissioned in 2028.
One of the New Ships to the Black Sea
Operations in the Sakarya Gas Field continue uninterrupted with the Fatih, Kanuni, Yavuz, and Abdülhamid Han drilling ships. One of the fifth and sixth drilling ships newly added to the energy fleet is also planned to be involved in exploration and production activities in the Black Sea in 2026.
Minister Bayraktar: A Symbol of the Legend We Wrote in the Blue Homeland
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar made a statement on the subject, saying, "This discovery, which is a symbol of the legend we have written in the Blue Homeland, has opened the door to new horizons for our exploration and production activities in the energy sector. Over the past five years, our exploration and production capabilities have reached a very significant point. We will continue to work tirelessly, continuing to explore and produce our own energy.”
The goal: domestic gas for 16 million households
Stating that work continues in the Sakarya Gas Field, Minister Bayraktar said, “Currently, 4 million households in Türkiye are using our domestic and national natural gas. Our goal for 2028 is to quadruple this number and deliver our domestic gas to 16 million households.”