Turkiye’s energy strategy has taken a major step toward reducing its dependence on imported energy, with officials announcing record-breaking oil production and an aggressive push to expand natural gas output. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently revealed that the country’s daily oil production had surpassed 135,000 barrels by the end of March—marking the highest level in national history. Speaking at the Istanbul Natural Resources Summit, Erdoğan emphasized that Türkiye’s energy ambitions go beyond self-sufficiency, aiming to establish the country as a pivotal regional energy hub.
Analysts point to a deliberate transformation in Türkiye’s energy strategy, shifting from isolated efforts to a comprehensive national framework. “This is no longer about piecemeal projects,” said Ayse Demir, an energy analyst at Eurasia Energy in Ankara. “The government sees energy as central to its geopolitical and economic standing.” Alongside oil, significant attention is being directed to natural gas, particularly with promising developments in the Black Sea.
Black Sea Gas and Storage Infrastructure Strengthen Supply Security
Türkiye’s flagship natural gas development, the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea—discovered in 2020—has already started producing 7.5 million cubic meters of gas daily. Government plans aim to boost that figure to 20 million by 2026 and eventually reach 40 million cubic meters by 2028. To support these goals, a floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) facility is under construction and expected to be operational next year.
“Sakarya is a milestone in Türkiye energy journey,” said Mehmet Kaya, an Istanbul-based energy consultant. “It’s not just about increasing gas output. It’s also about building deepwater expertise and mastering offshore logistics.”
Investments in storage infrastructure are also key to Türkiye’s energy strategy. The Silivri gas storage site near Istanbul—already Europe’s largest—is being expanded from 4.6 to 5.6 billion cubic meters. Additionally, the Lake Tuz underground storage facility in central Türkiye is expected to reach a capacity of 8.8 billion cubic meters by 2028, supporting seasonal demand and market stability.
International Partnerships and Diversification Strengthen Energy Independence
Türkiye’s broader energy strategy includes expanding international partnerships to diversify its sources and reduce dependency on traditional suppliers like Russia. The country has inked agreements with nations such as Senegal and launched offshore drilling operations off the coast of Somalia in late 2024. Further exploratory projects are planned in Libya and Senegal.
“Türkiye is insulating itself from geopolitical risks by diversifying suppliers and securing long-term LNG contracts with non-Russian partners,” said Demir. Despite the progress, the country’s energy import bill remains significant, totaling $18 billion in the first quarter of 2025. However, experts expect this figure to decline steadily as domestic production increases.
Meanwhile, nuclear energy is also becoming part of Türkiye’s energy strategy mix. The Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, developed with Russia’s Rosatom, is slated to begin operations in 2026 with the activation of its first reactor. With advancements in oil, gas, renewables, storage, and nuclear, Türkiye appears poised to become not only energy self-reliant but also a strategic energy player in the region.
