At the recent Global Shale Gas Summit held in Warsaw, Turkish Petroleum Corp. announced it has found a prospect in Turkey that can be compared to the Haynesville Shale formation in the U.S. – a discovery that further solidifies Turkey’s shale gas potential, according to the website Natural Gas for Europe.

“This potential shale gas opportunity is located in the country’s Dadas formation, situated on the northernmost area of the Arabian plate,” said Attila Aydemir, Turkish Petroleum’s unconventional gas coordinator.

Citing a “very high” carbonate content of 25-50% as well as a substantial clay make-up, the recent information has confirmed that the area is a viable prospect. Currently there is only one well drilled in this area however, tests indicate it has a high total organic content (TOC).

“Although this area is promising for unconventional resources, we need to collect additional samples from the well data [to be sure],” said Aydemir.

According to Aydemir, the country is developing its natural gas operations year by year. Recently, Turkey’s midstream sector has seen an increase in pipelines and processing plants. Continued growth is expected through the year 2020 – with heavy emphasis on international partnerships.

“We are willing to share our expertise of local geology with companies that are experienced in unconventional technologies and are willing to invest in Turkey,” said Aydemir.

Presently, 95% of Turkey’s natural gas production occurs in its Thrace Basin. Its most active field, Hamitabat, has been producing since 1981 and is currently undergoing fracing operations to determine its future potential. Aydemir indicated that his company is also eyeing other areas of interest including the Black Sea/Caglayan and Salt Lake formations as well as international prospects.

“We have our own drilling department and seismic crews with operations in Colombia, Libya, Iraq,” said Aydemir. “[Also] we are partnering in the Caspian with Azerbaijan, have potential projects with Iran and we are also hoping to be in Syria in the near future.”