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Türkiye has discovered two new oil fields in its southeastern Gabar region, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Monday, saying daily production in the area is expected to exceed 100,000 barrels in the second half of 2027 as the country seeks to reduce its dependence on imported energy.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Erdogan said the newly discovered Gaziler and Cardakli fields began production in October and contain an estimated 135 million barrels of oil in place, according to initial assessments.
He said Gabar currently produces 84,000 barrels of oil per day from 184 wells, meeting approximately 8% of Türkiye's oil consumption.
Production is expected to increase by 30% through further field development and the commissioning of new wells, with the number of wells projected to reach approximately 230 in the second half of 2027.
Erdogan said production of 120,000 barrels per day would generate an estimated $4.4 billion in annual economic contributions at current oil prices.
"We are producing Türkiye's highest-quality oil in Gabar, where terrorism, violence and fear once prevailed," he said.
According to Erdogan, cumulative crude oil production in Gabar has reached 75.4 million barrels, contributing approximately $6 billion toward reducing Türkiye's current account deficit.
Erdogan also highlighted progress in Türkiye's natural gas production, saying output from the Black Sea currently meets the needs of approximately 4 million households.
He said the Osman Gazi floating production platform, which was sent to its operational location on Oct. 17, is expected to double production capacity and increase the number of households supplied to 8 million.
The president emphasized that expanding domestic oil and natural gas production remained a priority as Türkiye's energy demand continued to grow.
“With our strategy of diversifying source countries, routes and forms, as well as our effective energy diplomacy, we have minimized the impact of these crises on our country,” Erdogan said.
He projected that Türkiye's population would surpass 88 million by 2030 and reach 94 million by 2050, further increasing energy consumption.
"We attach particular importance to meeting this demand in the safest, most stable, and most cost-effective way by diversifying our energy mix and increasing exploration and drilling activities," he said.
Erdogan also cited the Sakarya gas field in the Black Sea, rare earth element reserves in Eskisehir and Türkiye's energy activities in Libya, Somalia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
"We worked, made efforts, invested, and did not give up in the face of obstacles. Thankfully, we have added very significant discoveries to our country's gains," he said.
Turning to economic developments, Erdogan said Türkiye continued to expand its exports despite global political and economic instability.
"Despite the cycle of instability surrounding us, we are continuing our development journey in stability and confidence without interruption," he said.
Türkiye's exports rose 8.1% year over year in October to $25.9 billion, the third-highest monthly figure in the country's history and its strongest October performance, according to Erdogan.
Exports during the January-October period increased 5.5% to a record $236.8 billion, while annualized exports reached an all-time high of $285.6 billion.
Erdogan said Türkiye was on course to exceed its 2026 target of $410 billion in combined goods and services exports, with the total now expected to reach $413 billion.
He also reported an 8.8% increase in medium-high and high-technology exports to $118.6 billion.
Defense and aerospace exports climbed 61% year over year in October to $1.14 billion, while exports in the sector increased 37% over the previous 12 months to $11.357 billion.
Türkiye's foreign trade deficit narrowed 11.4% in October, and the export-to-import coverage ratio improved by 3.4%, Erdogan added.
The president said Türkiye had maintained average annual economic growth of 5.4% over the past 23 years and reiterated goals of raising exports to $300 billion and tourism revenues to more than $70 billion.
Erdogan also addressed the government's "Terror-Free Türkiye" initiative, describing it as a strategic project intended to strengthen security and create conditions for further economic development.
"That is when Türkiye will make its greatest economic leap," he said, referring to the potential impact of fully eliminating terrorism.
He expressed confidence that cities long affected by insecurity and migration would regain economic momentum as the initiative progressed.
The president also pointed to developments in Iraq's Sinjar region, which he said had long been described as "a second Qandil," referring to the PKK's former headquarters.
Erdogan said a significant step had been taken toward restoring state authority in the region, claiming that the integration of more than 4,000 members of the group into Iraqi security forces had begun the previous week.
He also reported positive developments concerning the evacuation of caves in the area.
"We are carefully advancing the process without compromising our security sensitivities. Regardless of what anyone says, we are looking ahead, focusing on our work, and seeking to resolve this issue permanently as soon as possible," Erdogan said.
On foreign policy, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye's commitment to diplomatic efforts aimed at ending regional conflicts.
Referring to his Oct. 31 meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Istanbul, he said Ankara would continue working toward a negotiated settlement.
"Türkiye wants the war to our north, which is about to enter its sixth year, to end as soon as possible with a just peace," Erdogan said.
He also highlighted his Nov. 3-4 visit to South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae-myung, during which five cooperation documents were signed covering energy, investment, mining, scientific cooperation and project financing.
Erdogan said the visit, the first by a Turkish president to South Korea in eight years, provided opportunities to expand cooperation in nuclear energy, investment and defense.
"We attach great importance to working more closely with Korea in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and battery production," he said.
The president also discussed his Sunday visit to Azerbaijan to mark the sixth anniversary of the Karabakh victory, highlighting reconstruction efforts under Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.
"From Shusha to Khankendi, from Jabrayil to Khojaly, roads, buildings, underpasses, places of worship and homes are rapidly taking shape almost everywhere. The winds of peace and tranquility are now blowing across every corner of Karabakh," Erdogan said.
He reaffirmed Türkiye's support for Azerbaijan under the principle of "one nation, two states."
Erdogan also referenced recent visits by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, alongside the 13th Summit of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Ankara on Oct. 30.
Erdogan said he would travel to Antalya on Tuesday to participate in the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), where more than 100 heads of state and government were expected.
He said the three-day program would include meetings and speeches addressing climate change and other international developments.
"We will continue working patiently to make Türkiye a leading country in its region and an influential actor in the world," Erdogan said.
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