In the energy sector, finding reserve resources is as important as the technology and cost of accessing them. As technology develops, so does the method of accessing resources. One of the biggest changes in oil and natural gas drilling in the last 20 years has been the maturation of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies in unconventional hydrocarbon exploration. Let's take a closer look at this technology, which will be used for the first time in Turkey in 2026.
What is horizontal drilling? How does it differ from vertical drilling?
Unlike vertical drilling used in traditional oil and gas exploration, horizontal drilling involves drilling tunnels horizontally within rocks after descending approximately 3-4 kilometers underground. In vertical drilling, underground oil or natural gas is extracted by flowing into the well through cracks and pores in the rock. Unconventional hydrocarbons, such as shale oil and shale gas, are trapped within rocks with extremely low permeability. Horizontal drilling is an advanced technology developed to overcome this problem.
Horizontal drilling consists of two stages:
- Horizontal Advancement: The drill bit travels for kilometers within the rock, maximizing contact with the reservoir area.
- Fracturing (Fracking) Process: High-pressure special fluid and chemicals are used to release oil or gas that formed millions of years ago and became trapped in the pores of the rocks. This allows the released hydrocarbons to be transported to the surface through the drill pipe.
Advantages of Horizontal Drilling
- Access to inaccessible resources: Shale oil and shale gas, which cannot be produced with conventional methods, become economically viable.
- Higher production efficiency: A much larger reservoir area is brought into production with a single well.
- Energy supply security: Dependence on imports decreases thanks to domestic resources.
- Long-term reserve utilization: Mature fields can be revitalized with horizontal drilling.
Disadvantages of Horizontal Drilling
- High cost: Horizontal drilling and fracking are much more expensive compared to vertical wells.
- Technology dependence: Requires advanced engineering, software, and equipment.
- Environmental sensitivities: Water usage, chemicals, and micro-seismic effects can create public debate.
- Price risk: Falling oil and gas prices can weaken the economic feasibility of projects.
Diyarbakır Has a 6 Billion Barrel Resource
There are two separate basins in Turkey with unconventional hydrocarbon potential. No steps had been taken in these basins, which hold great potential, due to technological and economic limitations. Horizontal drilling will first be carried out in the Diyarbakır basin in 2026. Subsequently, horizontal drilling will commence in the Thrace basin.
Hydrocarbon resources are known to exist in an area of approximately 7,000 square kilometers in the Diyarbakır basin. Initially, horizontal drilling will be conducted in four separate fields covering 600 square kilometers, in collaboration with the US company Continental Resources. Shale oil will be produced here. According to statements by Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alpaslan Bayraktar, 24 horizontal fractured wells will be opened within three years. Diyarbakır is estimated to have a natural gas and oil potential of 6 billion barrels. Theoretically, this translates to a value of over 400 billion dollars. Turkey could become an exporter of these resources instead of importing oil and natural gas.
In Thrace, shale gas potential is estimated. Seismic studies are being conducted with US companies to identify the drilling area.
Horizontal Drilling Technology Triggered an Energy Revolution in the US
The greatest example of horizontal drilling technology in the world is the United States. Thanks to this technology, which the US developed and made economically viable over the years, it experienced a "shale gas revolution" and became the world's number one oil and natural gas producer. Approximately 94% of US oil production and 92% of its natural gas production are obtained from horizontally drilled wells.
The US transitioned from an energy importer to an exporter. While becoming one of the world's largest oil producers, it also succeeded in becoming a global player in LNG exports. Horizontal drilling operations are also being carried out in Canada, Argentina, and China.
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