Turkey will begin seismic exploration of oil and natural gas resources in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea this year, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak has said.
“We will take steps this year toward exploring and drilling in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea,” Albayrak told Anadolu Agency.
“After our first seismic exploration vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa, our second vessel will actively conduct 2-D and 3-D seismic exploration in both of our seas,” he added.
Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa explored oil and natural gas resources two years ago off the coast of Cyprus, but its activities were interrupted in March 2015 when tensions rose between the Greek Cypriot administration and the TRNC government over ownership of the resources. Since that time, the TRNC government has stated that the island’s resources belong to both communities.
Albayrak said that Turkey was entering a new phase and would “realise new investments by taking significant steps in the energy sector.” Over 60% of the world’s oil and natural gas lie in Turkey’s region, he noted.
Hurriyet