Bayraktar answered the questions of the AA correspondent within the scope of the Russian Energy Week held in the capital Moscow.
Stating that Türkiye does not experience any problems in supply security despite the successive crises in the global energy markets, Bayraktar stated that the country implements policies to diversify its energy resources and supplier countries.
Bayraktar said, "Oil and natural gas exploration activities continue both at sea and on land. Oil production in Gabar is an important part of these studies." he said.
Stating that work is continuing in Gabar, Bayraktar said, "Hopefully, we can give new good news from Gabar soon." he said.
"Our natural gas production in the Black Sea will quadruple in 2028"
Reminding that Türkiye started production from the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea in 2023, Bayraktar said, "Our production in the Black Sea increases to 7.5 billion cubic meters per year. This was zero, production started since 2023 and hopefully it will double today. In 2028, this will quadruple. Türkiye is looking for its own resources on the one hand." he said.
Pointing out the importance of diversification in energy supply security, Bayraktar explained that Türkiye aims to benefit from all renewable energy, nuclear energy, domestic coal, oil and natural gas resources.
Referring to the long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreements made with the USA, Bayraktar said that they have developed alternative supply opportunities against problems that may occur in pipelines.
Bayraktar stated that he wants to evaluate Türkiye's energy infrastructure in a way that will contribute to regional supply security, and emphasized that the full capacity operation of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and Iraq-Turkey oil pipelines will benefit both producer and consumer countries.
"Russia-US diesel agreement is also important for us"
Evaluating the cooperation with Russia in the field of energy, Bayraktar stated that Russia is an important supplier of oil, natural gas and petroleum products for Türkiye.
Pointing out the importance of the agreement between the USA and Russia regarding the supply of diesel fuel, Bayraktar said, "The diesel agreement between Russia and America, their agreement on diesel supply, is also important. Because Turkey is an important diesel supplier from Russia. Therefore, opening this area is important for our security of supply." made his assessment.
Reminding that the natural gas cooperation between Turkey and Russia has completed its 40th year, Bayraktar stated that the first agreement was signed on February 14, 1986, and that Russia has supplied over 600 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Türkiye to date.
Bayraktar stated that Russia is a reliable supplier and that they discussed new cooperation opportunities regarding natural gas infrastructure and regional supply security in their meetings with Gazprom.
The first reactor in Akkuyu is aimed to be commissioned within a few months.
Referring to the cooperation with Russia in the field of nuclear energy, Bayraktar stated that electricity production is approaching in the first reactor of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NGP).
Bayraktar said, "Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant is the site of the world's largest nuclear construction site, where four reactors are being built simultaneously. We are now very close to producing electricity in the first reactor there. Our goal is to commission this reactor in the next few months." he said.
Stating that they also discussed the new nuclear power plant projects planned in Sinop and Thrace with Russian officials, Bayraktar emphasized that nuclear energy is indispensable to meet the increasing electricity demand.
Bayraktar stated that population growth, economic growth and urbanization in Türkiye, as well as artificial intelligence, data centers, electric vehicles and the need for cooling, increase the demand for electricity, and pointed out the importance of clean energy targets within the scope of the COP31 Climate Summit to be held in Antalya in November.
"Energy conferences have now become a target as well"
Evaluating the developments in global energy markets, Bayraktar said that the attacks that took place during the 25th World Petroleum Congress he attended in Saudi Arabia revealed the risks regarding energy security.
Bayraktar pointed out that many participants could not come to the congress due to the attacks and said, "Not only energy infrastructure has become a target, but now energy meetings and conferences have also become targets." he said.
Pointing out that the Russia-Ukraine conflict, developments in the Middle East, trade wars and supply chain breaks affect the energy markets, Bayraktar said, "The new normal is a situation where there are constant conflicts in the world, shocks and crises follow each other." made his assessment.
Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye continues its long-term energy policies against the risks in question and added that they hope that the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and between Iran and the USA will end.
