Trillion Energy International Inc. (CSE:TCF, OTCQB:TRLEF, FRA:Z620) Vice President and Deputy General Manager Tolga Terzi talked with Proactive about the importance of “closeology” and how the concept supports the company’s M47 oil block development project in southeastern Türkiye.
During the interview, Terzi explained that in the oil and gas sector, proximity to producing fields can significantly reduce uncertainty by providing valuable insights into geology, reservoir quality, infrastructure and operational requirements before drilling begins.
He highlighted that Trillion Energy’s M47 block is located in one of Türkiye’s most active oil-producing regions, approximately 57 kilometres from the Syrian border and 90–100 kilometres from the Iraqi border. The project is situated near several producing fields operated by Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), including the Sehit Ayabuke Yalcin and Sehit Esma Cevik fields.
Terzi noted that TPAO has made multiple discoveries in the area over the past several years and has drilled increasingly close to the company’s acreage. According to Terzi, Trillion Energy and its partners drilled two wells in 2025 and encountered oil in the same carbonate Cretaceous reservoirs found in nearby producing fields.
Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. Joining me is Tolga Terzi, Vice President and Deputy General Manager of Trillion Energy. Tolga, it's good to see you. How are you?
Tolga Terzi: Good. I'm fantastic. How are you?
I'm doing well. Thanks very much. We often hear industry terms and recently I heard the term "closeology," which has been used by your company. For those unfamiliar with it, how do you define closeology?
Closeology is fundamentally about location and proximity. In oil and gas, when you choose a location, you look around to see if there are producing assets nearby. Proximity is very important because it provides answers before you enter the field. There are many unknowns in the oil and gas business, but closeology helps reduce uncertainty by giving insights into geology, drilling techniques, transportation and other factors that may affect the project.
That concept has a particular relevance to your M47 block. Tell us about that and how closeology applies there.
Our M47 block is located in southeastern Türkiye, about 57 kilometres from the Syrian border and 90 to 100 kilometres from the Iraqi border. It is close to producing regions and adjacent blocks owned by TPAO, the Turkish state oil company. These fields collectively produce significant volumes of oil.
A few years ago, production in the area was effectively zero, but recent discoveries have transformed the region. Türkiye imports roughly 1 to 1.2 million barrels of oil per day while producing only about 130,000 to 140,000 barrels per day, making this region strategically important.
The M47 block is located just 10 to 12 kilometres from key producing fields such as Sehit Ayabuke Yalcin and Sehit Esma Cevik. TPAO has also made several discoveries within a few kilometres of our acreage. We believe we share the same geology.
We drilled two wells with our partners in 2025 and encountered the same quality of oil in the same carbonate Cretaceous reservoirs. That provides a strong indication of what we may encounter as we continue development.
The fact that these neighbouring fields are already producing must provide additional confidence.
Exactly. We are not pursuing a purely conceptual idea. We are operating in one of Türkiye’s most significant oil fairways and sharing similar geology with nearby producing fields. The only thing separating some of these assets is a licence boundary. We drilled two wells last year and obtained encouraging results. Because nearby fields are already producing, the level of uncertainty is reduced. That is important for investors.
The involvement of government-backed operators must also be beneficial from an infrastructure and development perspective.
Yes. Türkiye is eager to increase domestic oil production and welcomes foreign investment. We operate in partnership with local groups and provide financial support to the development.
TPAO is actively drilling more than 40 rigs near our block. They understand the basin well, and we expect to follow similar development steps. We will also benefit from the same service providers and infrastructure.
The government has completed a new pipeline that we expect to use. Having TPAO as a neighbour provides advantages because we can benefit from the broader regional development taking place around us.
Very exciting developments. Thanks for explaining closeology and updating us on the M47 project.
Thank you very much. Thanks for having me.
That's Tolga Terzi, Vice President and Deputy General Manager of Trillion Energy.
Quotes have been lightly edited for style and clarity