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Turkey Eyes Game-Changing Oil Boom in Diyarbakır: 6.1 Billion Barrel Shale Reserve Identified

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Continental Resources, a U.S.-based energy giant, has projected that Turkey’s Diyarbakır region may hold up to 6.1 billion barrels of oil, marking what could be one of the country’s largest energy discoveries to date. The announcement came shortly after Turkey’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed the partnership with Continental Resources and TransAtlantic Petroleum for unconventional shale oil and gas production.

“This Is Huge”: Minister Highlights Potential to Offset Oil Imports

Minister Bayraktar emphasized the magnitude of the find, noting that Turkey imports around 365 million barrels of oil annually. “This new reserve in Diyarbakır is a tremendous development,” he said, pointing out the potential strategic importance of shale oil extraction in reducing Turkey’s energy dependency.

The 6.1 billion barrel estimate is based on geological assessments by Continental Resources following the joint venture agreement signed on March 13 with TPAO (Turkish Petroleum Corporation).

“We are moving ahead with Continental Resources and TransAtlantic in this transformative project. The shale oil in Diyarbakır and shale gas in Thrace could significantly change the game,” Bayraktar stated.

Unconventional Production: A New Energy Chapter

Unlike traditional drilling methods, the new exploration in Diyarbakır focuses on unconventional production, targeting shale oil and tight gas formations trapped in rock layers. Bayraktar added that nearly $3 billion in petroleum discoveries had already been made in 2025 alone.

He detailed Turkey’s current conventional production:

  • Gabar Field: 81,000 barrels/day

  • Batman: 30,000 barrels/day

  • Adıyaman: 10,000 barrels/day

  • Diyarbakır: 20,000 barrels/day

However, the new shale production could dramatically increase these numbers.

Turkey’s Nuclear Ambitions Expand with Canadian Candu

Beyond fossil fuels, Turkey is intensifying efforts to diversify its energy portfolio through nuclear power. Bayraktar announced that Canada’s Candu has joined ongoing negotiations for the construction of Turkey’s second and third nuclear power plants.

“We are considering offers from Russia, South Korea, China, and now Canada. Our priority is to select the most competitive and beneficial partner for Turkey,” Bayraktar said.

Currently:

  • Akkuyu Nuclear Plant (with Russia’s Rosatom): First unit set for trial in 2025

  • Sinop: Ongoing talks with Russia and South Korea

  • Thrace: Negotiations underway with China

Additional Discovery: 100 Million-Barrel Oil Find Progressing

Bayraktar also noted that a separate 100-million-barrel discovery is being actively developed, with 41 million barrels already secured through continued exploration efforts.

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