To one worldwide energy hunt and basic products from US natural gas to southeast Asian oil and uranium in sub -Saharan Africa, is located Turkey, utilizing its growing influence on foreign policy in order to become more competitive and gain an advantage in resources.

Ankara reinforces this effort this year, with Exploration Agreements signed on three continents – The last week of Oman last week – and with specialized ships secured to support them, according to Bloomberg. Meanwhile, the state Botas Gas Company He is preparing for a new role as an international trader anymore. The aim is to ensure access to critical goods to supply the $ 1.4 trillion Turkish economy at a time of uncertainty about supply chains.

China has made a similar move, but in larger climates, since the 1990s through the international expansion of its own state -owned companies. For Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, it is also a way to to enhance Turkey’s influence and to build Economic relations.

According to Ahmet Turkoglu, the head of Turkiye Petrolleri, who already produces oil in Russia, Azerbaijan and Iraq, as well as within Turkey, are projects to be implemented.

“Geopolitical realities, such as supply safety and technology, are now urgent, not choices,” he said in a speech last month.

But his idea seems extremely ambitious in some places, the report comments as entrusts public officials the responsibility For the type of exploration projects that are usually a privilege of giant energy groups or smaller specialized businesses. This means that investment and expenses are accompanied by an item risk for public money.

Promotion of sales

Turkey is not the only country that is chasing goods. Europe, for example, has intensified markets liquefied natural gas while distanceing from Russia.

As Ankara is aimed at foreign governments, it promotes the Black Sea Gas Gas project as proof that it can implement complex projects on a large scale. It also expands the fleet of its specialized vessels. TPAO recently bought two drillings from Norwegian Eldorado drilling for about $ 245 million each.

This year, companies controlled by the Ministry of Energy have signed Agreements with Oman, Libya, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Hungary – All countries with which Ankara has reinforced its ties in recent years.

In area of mining, They study gold deposits in Sudan, where Turkey has supported the government in a civil war. Officials have also stated that they are discussing agreements in Angola, Malaysia, Indonesia, Niger, Turkmenistan, Iraq and Bulgaria.

Talks with Niger, one of the world’s leading uranium producers, show how Turkey took advantage of the 2023 coup in the country and the junta’s attempt to expel the long -term French producer Orano.

Increasing influence

The control of basic natural resources abroad will enhance Turkey’s influence in these countries, creating opportunities for cooperation in other areas, such as trade and defense.

‘Turkey seeks the her energy diplomacy combined with a broader political target: Strengthening the country’s regime as a regional force, “said Daphne Arslan, senior director of the Atlantic Council in Turkey.

Trading

Botas, Turkey’s National Gas Company is converted by an importing company that receives passive supplies to a global trader which can also buy and sell with profit.

She has signed LNG import contracts that give her shipping control for the first time and is in talks on additional flexible volumes, especially by the US, according to people who know the issue and who refused to be named, discussing internal activities.

The company plans to open an office in Switzerland this year, according to a person who knows the issue, a move that would give it to the world’s largest traders.

The rapidly increasing LNG supply to the US and global demand mean profitable commercial opportunities. Traditional buyers from China to Japan often act as traders, taking advantage of opportunistic agreements to resell their LNG in Europe.

Access to world LNG would differentiate Turkey’s sources beyond the current main suppliers Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, while lifting the country to the suppliers’ ranks, increasing its influence on the global energy arena.

However, given the risk of some of the businesses, there are also questions about the cost. The government has not stated how the international expansion of companies will be funded.