Türkiye begins Eastern Black Sea seismic survey

State-owned Türkiye Petrolleri Anonim Ortaklığı (TPAO) has begun seismic acquisition off Trabzon in the Eastern Black Sea, extending an exploration campaign previously focused on the western basin.

The survey is being conducted by the Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa, which docked at Trabzon port on September 24 for resupply, maintenance and repairs before putting back to sea. The vessel is now gathering seismic data on seabed geology to assess oil and gas potential off the Trabzon coast.

TPAO plans to continue the programme between October 2026 and June 2027, working the offshore belt between Tirebolu and Rize. The campaign deepens Ankara's push to replicate the success of the Sakarya gas field in the western Black Sea, where production has begun to reshape Türkiye's import-heavy gas balance.

During the acquisition, the ship will tow six streamer cables of 8.7 kilometres in length from its stern. With the equipment array reaching 600 metres across, the vessel will be unable to execute sudden manoeuvres or stop, authorities said, urging fishing boats to keep clear of the ship and the trailing gear.

Mariners have been instructed to maintain a minimum distance of six nautical miles from the Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa in all directions during operations. Fishing and net-casting have been prohibited in areas adjacent to the survey zone.

Ahmet Mutlu, head of the Eastern Black Sea Fishery Cooperatives Union, told local media outlet Enerji Haber the vessel would initially work 70-80 miles offshore. "If work is being carried out 70-80 miles offshore, this will not cause any harm to fishermen," he said.

Mutlu noted, however, that with seismic equipment stretching kilometres behind the vessel, operations closer to shore could disrupt fishing activity. "At the moment we have no fishing activity 70-80 miles offshore. So at this stage there seems to be no problem. However, if work begins in areas close to the coast within a short period, I think this could create issues," he said.

He added that boats from across Türkiye, not only the Eastern Black Sea region, operate in the area, and called for broader communication with the fleet. Announcements through the Navigation Department or the Directorate General of Coastal Safety would be the appropriate channel to inform fishermen, Mutlu said.

The Barbaros Hayreddin Paşa is TPAO's principal 3D seismic asset and has been central to Türkiye's offshore mapping effort since its acquisition more than a decade ago.