Ankara, 20 Oct. 2020 (Anadolou News)

Turkey is set to continue its search for energy resources in Black Sea region, where it has so far discovered 405 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas, the country’s president said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference following an hours-long cabinet meeting in the presidential complex in the capital Ankara, Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered remarks on various topics including the novel coronavirus outbreak, as well as the country’s energy research and foreign policy.

Erdogan said a discovery this weekend in the Black Sea that raised the known capacity of previous natural gas reserves from 320 to 405 bcm would finally allow Turkey to meet its hydrocarbon needs to some extent, adding that Turkey’s drill ship, the Fatih, would start on fresh operations next month.

More good news may await the country, he added, as the vessel is slated to start operations on a new Black Sea well — Turkali 1 — next month with available data suggesting the possibility of similar discoveries in the region.

Erdogan went on to say that the natural gas to be extracted would significantly contribute to Turkey’s peace, prosperity and security, as the country enjoys the financial benefits of the find.