About 6.1 billion barrels are estimated to be located in the Diyarbakir basin in southeast, according to US Continental Resources surveys, Turkish Energy Minister Alpslan Bayraktar announced.
It has entered into a joint venture agreement with the Turkish TPAO National Petroleum Company since March 2025, with the aim of extracting shale oil in this basin. This discovery is considered a key to Turkey, which today imports more than 90% of its energy needs, with annual crude oil imports of about 365 million barrels.
Energy autonomy and future plans
The Energy Minister described the deposit as a “excellent number” that can change the country’s energy data, opening “a new era in local oil exploration”. At the same time, Turkey plans to develop a shale gas, with the aim of areas such as the northwestern region of Eastern Thrace.
The utilization of these deposits is expected to enhance Turkey’s energy autonomy, reducing import dependence and enhancing domestic energy production, at a time when the country seeks to boost its energy security and differentiate its sources.
Continental Resources has not officially commented on the announcement so far, and mining and utilization work is expected to start in collaboration with TPAO, marking a significant change in Turkey’s energy landscape.
