The drilling efforts are part of the government's plan to reduce dependency on costly energy imports.
Dönmez recalled that just four or five years ago, daily oil production by the state company for drilling and exploration, Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) was 37,000 barrels but it has now slightly exceeded 60,000 barrels.
"Over the same period, we have added another 70 million barrels to our total reserves with additional discoveries," he said.
These additions have helped alleviate oil and gas imports, which are very high at 92% for oil and 99% for natural gas.
