Türkiye accelerates energy partnerships with majors to boost production, cut imports

Türkiye is accelerating cooperation with major international energy companies as part of a strategic push to transform its national oil company, Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), into a globally active player and reduce heavy reliance on imported hydrocarbons. The approach reflects Ankara's broader effort to diversify energy partnerships, access advanced technology, and improve operational efficiency while boosting domestic production.

Strategic Diversification and Global Reach

Brenda Shaffer, a professor at the US Naval Postgraduate School, told Anadolu that diversification is a key principle of effective energy policy. "Türkiye applies this to all its energy security policies: a diverse fuel mix and diverse suppliers of energy, especially natural gas," Shaffer said. Through partnerships with multiple international firms, Türkiye gains access to advanced technology while avoiding dependence on a single company. "I assess that Ankara wants to turn its national energy companies into international energy companies, active in diverse locations around the globe. The cooperation with international energy companies helps to facilitate this goal," she added.

Recent Agreements and Regional Focus

TPAO has signed a series of agreements in recent months: a Feb. 19 deal with Shell for joint exploration in Bulgaria's Khan Tervel field; a Feb. 12 memorandum with bp focusing on Iraq's Kirkuk and opportunities in Libya, Kazakhstan, and Azerbaijan; a Feb. 5 memorandum with Chevron for joint projects in Türkiye and abroad; and a Jan. 8 agreement with ExxonMobil subsidiary ESSO for cooperation in the Black Sea and Mediterranean. The company also partnered with TransAtlantic Petroleum and Continental Resources last year to develop unconventional resources in Diyarbakir. Offshore drilling in Somalia is expected in April, with exploration planned in Libya through partnerships with Repsol and MOL, and in five fields in Pakistan.

Production Targets and Analyst Views

Türkiye currently meets about 90% of its oil and gas demand through imports. Sohbet Karbuz, director of oil and gas at the Mediterranean Organization for Energy and Climate, noted that only about one-fifth of onshore areas and roughly 1% of offshore territory have been explored, emphasizing the importance of exploration campaigns. TPAO aims to increase output from roughly 300,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day to 500,000 by 2028 and 1 million in the longer term. John Roberts, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said joint ventures are "very good and practical" and could help Türkiye evolve from an energy transit country into a genuine energy trading hub.