Diyarbakır is becoming a new center of Türkiye’s efforts to increase domestic oil production. Following the increase in production at the Gabar field in Şırnak, attention has now turned to Diyarbakır’s extensive shale oil potential.
The Energy and Natural Resources Ministry estimates that the total area in Diyarbakır considered to contain shale oil is approximately 7,200 square kilometers.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said work was initially being carried out across four blocks covering approximately 600 square kilometers. Bayraktar noted that the potential field is about 10 to 12 times larger than the current work area and said 2026 would be a critical year for the project.
Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing will be used
The Diyarbakır project relies on a production method different from Türkiye’s conventional oil fields.
Horizontal drilling will first be carried out to extract oil trapped in underground rock formations. Hydraulic fracturing will then be used to enable the oil to flow toward the well.
This method is among the technologies that have driven the rapid rise of shale oil production, particularly in the United States.
Bayraktar said successful results from the work in Diyarbakır could have significant consequences for Türkiye’s oil industry and described the project as having “game changer” potential.
A potential area of 7,200 square kilometers
For now, work is concentrated in four blocks covering approximately 600 square kilometers. However, ministry assessments indicate that the geological structure with shale oil potential extends across a much wider area of approximately 7,200 square kilometers.
For this reason, the results of the initial drilling are critically important. Successful results could pave the way for exploration and production activities to expand into wider areas.
Oil exploration activities are also continuing in Diyarbakır’s Silvan district. Türkiye Petrolleri is working to drill new appraisal wells in the area.
Diyarbakır becomes the new target after Gabar
Türkiye has significantly increased oil production in recent years, particularly at the Gabar field in Şırnak. Energy Ministry data shows that daily oil production at Gabar has exceeded 81,000 barrels.
If the Diyarbakır shale oil project succeeds, Türkiye aims to add a new, large-scale source to domestic oil production from its onshore fields.
However, the total recoverable reserves in the region have not yet been finalized. Therefore, estimates voiced on social media that the project will double or triple Gabar’s reserves are not currently considered officially confirmed reserve data.
The results of the horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing work scheduled for 2026 will play a critical role in determining whether Diyarbakır’s shale oil potential can be converted into commercial-scale production.
