Newsletters
Gabar Mountain oil production has reached 81,000 barrels per day, meeting approximately 8% of Türkiye's daily oil needs, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced during a visit to the production site.
Speaking at the Martyr Esma Cevik-1 Discovery Well, Bayraktar outlined the significant progress made since exploration began in 2021.
"With this discovery that we started in 2021, we have now reached a daily production of 81,000 barrels, meeting approximately 8% of Türkiye's daily needs from this site alone. Of course, we still have much work to do and very important new exploration areas," Bayraktar said.
The announcement was made during a May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day event attended by Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Group Chairman Abdullah Guler, and approximately 40 members of parliament from various parties.
Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmus, accompanied by Energy Minister Bayraktar, AK Party Group Chairman Abdullah Guler, AK Party Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitas, and about 40 parliamentarians from different parties, observed the oil flow at the Martyr Esma Cevik-1 Discovery Well, where he opened the well valve and examined oil samples.
"This is truly a historic day, a historic moment for us," Kurtulmus said, describing the significance of witnessing oil extraction at the site that now produces 81,000 barrels daily.
"I hope that the oil found in this region will both ensure Türkiye's complete independence in energy and secure the enrichment, prosperity, peace, and unity of the region."
Kurtulmus emphasized the strength of the reserve, stating, "We know the reservoir is very strong. An ocean of oil is boiling beneath where we stand. 81,000 barrels is no small amount, and it will increase to 100,000 barrels in a very short time."
He highlighted the economic implications of the discovery: "When we eliminate our foreign dependency on oil, we will become a country that doesn't have a current account deficit but rather a current account surplus. Therefore, I would like to express that I greatly enjoy being here today, at this beautiful oil well, having direct contact with this oil."
Bayraktar emphasized that the project's significance extends beyond its economic value, highlighting the transformation of a previously inaccessible region.
"As you know, this region was associated with terrorism and was inaccessible. But thankfully, we have constructed a 680-kilometer road network in these mountains. Over 3,000 people, mostly young people from this region, are working here. Now, the youth of this region are staying here, and Sirnak is becoming a city that attracts migration rather than losing population. Therefore, this contribution is as valuable as its economic impact," Bayraktar stated.
The minister described the Gabar project as one of the most important initiatives in Türkiye's quest for energy independence, noting that work continues to both increase current production and develop new exploration zones.
During the event, Energy Minister Bayraktar recalled that Sergeant Esma Cevik, whose name has been given to the first well and the site where oil production takes place, was martyred in 2019 during an intervention with an improvised explosive device planted by PKK terrorists in Sirnak's Idil district.
"One of our fields here is named after Martyr Esma Cevik, and another is the Martyr Aybuke Yalcin field. So we are also commemorating our martyrs on this occasion," Bayraktar said.
Republican People's Party (CHP) Zonguldak Deputy Deniz Yavuzyilmaz expressed support for the ongoing operations, stating, "It is valuable for Türkiye that these efforts continue to increase. Our chairman, Mr. Ozgur Ozel, also sends his greetings. We wanted to be here with greater participation for an event coinciding with May 19. Extracting the underground wealth of our homeland is important for all of us. We are also candidates to increase these efforts even more. We thank everyone who contributed."
The event was also attended by the Chairman of the Parliamentary Industry, Trade, Energy, Natural Resources, Information and Technology Commission, Mustafa Varank; Sirnak Governor Birol Ekici; AK Party Sirnak Deputy Arslan Tatar; Mayor Mehmet Yarka; Provincial Gendarmerie Commander Brigadier General Mevlut Dirim; Provincial Police Chief Serdar Buyukleblebici; Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) General Manager Ahmet Turkoglu; and other officials.
1 min read
Bayraktar also referenced President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent announcement of a new natural gas discovery in the Black Sea region.
"Our president recently shared good news from the Black Sea with our nation about a new reserve discovery of approximately 75 billion cubic meters, which alone will meet the natural gas used in our residences for 3.5 years. I wish this to be beneficial once again. Both production and new exploration activities continue there as well," he said.
3 min read
