TPAO Extends Oil Exploration Licenses in Thrace and Çanakkale

The Turkish authorities have decided to extend oil exploration licenses for three major blocks owned by the state company TPAO (Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı). Exploration will take place on areas spanning tens of thousands of hectares in the provinces of Edirne, Tekirdag, and Çanakkale.

The corresponding decision was published in the Official Gazette of Turkey. The document was prepared by the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Where oil will be explored

According to the published decision, the oil exploration licenses are extended for several strategic blocks:

• Coastal area in the Tekirdag province covering 43,886 hectares. License extended until January 16, 2028.
• Onshore block located in Edirne and Tekirdag provinces, totaling 14,562 hectares. License validity extended until January 22, 2028.
• Another onshore block in Çanakkale and Tekirdag covering 31,229 hectares. License valid until January 16, 2028.

Why it matters

Extending the licenses will allow TPAO to continue geological exploration and assess the region's oil potential. In recent years, Turkey has actively expanded its energy resource exploration programs both onshore and offshore.

The authorities expect that the new studies will help discover additional hydrocarbon reserves and reduce Turkey's dependence on imported energy resources.

Extending the licenses allows for continued exploration in strategically important areas and to determine the prospects for oil production in the Thrace region.

Exploration on such large areas can play a key role in the country's long-term energy strategy aimed at strengthening domestic oil and gas production.