Turkey has discovered fresh natural gas deposits in the Black Sea worth 135 billion cubic meters, with intentions to begin production in 2023, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to BBC Turkish, the recent find by state energy company Tpao at the Amasra-1 offshore well raises the region's total find to 540 billion cubic meters.

It quoted Erdogan as saying at an opening ceremony in northern Zonguldak province, "Our Fatih drill ship discovered 135 billion cubic meters of natural gas in the Amasra-1 borehole in the Sakarya gas field."

” Our new drilling activities around (the borehole) are continuing, and we expect more good news from this location, God willing."

Turkish explorers discovered 405 billion cubic meters of gas at the Tuna-1 well in the Sakarya area last year, making it the greatest ever discovery in the Black Sea.

Ankara has hailed the discovery as significant in reducing the country's $41 billion in energy import dependency last year.

In recent years, Turkey has increased its efforts to explore oil and gas off its coasts, with Erdoan touting recent energy discoveries as a solution to some of Turkey's long-term economic vulnerabilities, such as import reliance, which requires payment in foreign currency against a weakening Turkish lira.

Officials predict that local production would increase Turkey's gas demand by 60% by 2030, from 50 billion cubic meters per year to 80 billion cubic meters per year. Turkey presently imports nearly all of the 50 billion cubic meters of gas it consumes yearly.

Turkey has also been prospecting for energy resources in the eastern Mediterranean, where its survey operations in contested waters have enraged Greece, Cyprus, and the European Union.

Energy Minister Faith Dönmez indicated last month that the country may conduct further drilling in the eastern Mediterranean.