Türkiye Faces EU Demand for Proof on Gas Exports Amid Russian Phaseout
Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar stated that Europe needs gas supplies from Türkiye, but requires documentary proof that the gas does not originate in Russia. He mentioned that Europe consumes around 60 billion cubic meters of gas annually, but investments in infrastructure have given the country the capacity to supply 70-80 billion cubic meters a year.
Bayraktar explained the commercial and legal aspects of supplying gas to Europe, saying that even when the exact origin of the gas cannot be determined, if it is subject to trade and legal regulation, 'Türkiye is required to provide documents indicating which country the gas comes from.'
The Sakarya field is located about 170 kilometers off the western Black Sea coast at a depth of 2,150 meters. It is the largest natural gas field ever discovered in Türkiye, with reserves estimated at 540 billion cubic meters. The European Union has set a clear transition timetable for completely phasing out Russian gas.
The Sakarya field was discovered in August 2020 and is being developed by Turkish Petroleum in three phases. If you add to the existing routes the project to transport Qatari gas to Türkiye and Europe through Iraq and via the Development Road, the total annual economic volume of oil and natural gas production will reach $80 billion. This would generate a $2 trillion economy over a 25-year period.