Türkiye to continue buying Russian gas despite launching of Sakarya field

Türkiye announced plans related to the start of gas supplies from the new Sakarya field in the Turkish sector of the Black Sea. The domestic gas will reduce imports and increase exports. It will also be directed to the gas hub that will be created jointly by Türkiye and Russia.

This year, Türkiye will reduce its dependence on imported gas. In late April, the country will receive the first gas from the Black Sea Sakarya field.

According to the estimations by Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) CEO Melih Han Bilgin, by the end of 2023, Türkiye will reduce its dependence on imported gas by 15% through supplies from a new field. At the second phase of the project, Türkiye's gas dependence might be reduced by 35%.

”At the 1st and 2nd phases [of the project], we will pump 40 mn cubic meters of gas into the national system [from the Sakarya field] daily,"

- he said.

Gas from Sakarya will increase Türkiye's ability to sell gas to Europe, and will also make it possible to make the purchase of "blue fuel" more profitable.

"99.5% of natural gas needs are met by supplies from abroad. Not only from Russia, we have other suppliers as well. But, of course, our own gas will balance the energy mix. In any case, I am sure that Türkiye will buy and sell gas,”

- Bilgin noted.

In addition, the gas from the new field will be pumped to the gas hub that is being created in Türkiye.