"TPAO projects to drill new wells in the 5 year period between 2009 and 2014. These works would cost around 150-200 million USD," Uysal told the 9th Energy Arena, an international conference held in Istanbul.

TPAO chairman estimated that Turkey could have problems in energy supply in the middle of next decade, adding that Turkey would pay 700 billion USD for oil and natural gas in the next 13 years.

"TPAO intensified exploration works in seas. The Salt Lake (in central Turkey) would be the region to focus on," Uysal said.

AA