Turkey plans Aegean oil research

Turkey has announced plans to begin oil exploration in the Aegean Sea within its territorial waters.

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has been granted nine exploration licenses by Turkey's Ministry of Energy. These licenses, valid for eight years each, cover the Gulf of Xiros and areas near the Dardanelles, following a request made in June 2023.

Turkey's move comes amid long-standing tensions with Greece over maritime boundaries. Both countries signed the Bern Protocol in 1976, which restricts oil and gas exploration to their respective territorial waters during ongoing bilateral talks.

Turkish opposition parties have criticized Turkey's government for halting Eastern Mediterranean exploration, accusing it of neglecting national interests. Meanwhile, TPAO has signed an agreement with Somalia to begin oil and gas research off its coast, after the Turkish...