17.04.2025 09:30
In the Muradiye district of Van, where the Russians extracted 5 tons of oil daily in 1915, a 200-ton drilling rig has been established in the Kürzot area of Beşparmak neighborhood as part of the oil exploration activities conducted by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO).
Located about 25 kilometers away from the Muradiye district and at an altitude of 2,300 meters, the work initiated at the foot of the mountain continues at full speed despite the challenging geography.
While security measures in the region have been raised to the highest level, gendarmerie teams and security guards are also accompanying field operations by keeping watch on a 24-hour basis. Approximately 200 personnel are working in the area, licensed by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in collaboration with TPAO and the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs. It has been reported that the work in the region will continue uninterrupted throughout all four seasons. Muradiye District Governor Melih Aydoğan and AK Party Van Provincial Chairman Abdulahat Arvas, who visited the area to inspect the work on-site, are closely following the process.
"RUSSIANS EXTRACTED 5 TONS OF OIL DAILY"
Speaking on the subject, AK Party Van Provincial Chairman Arvas stated that the region has a historical background in oil production. Arvas said, "The Beşparmak-Kürzot region, located 25 kilometers from our Muradiye district, is within our Özalp borders. It is known that during the 1915 Russian-Armenian invasion, the Russians extracted 5 tons of oil daily here and covered the well when they withdrew. Even today, traces of those activities can be found at the bottom of the stream. The oil extracted at that time was used in boats on Lake Van, in heating and lighting systems," he said.
"THE REGION HAS BEEN CLEARED OF TERROR, WORKS HAVE BEGUN"
Arvas stated that after the satellite scans and preparations made in the region with the report they submitted to the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources two years ago, drilling operations were initiated with the establishment of a peaceful and secure environment. "Oil is being searched at a depth of 1,050 meters with a 200-ton rig. If high-quality and high-gravity oil is found, it will make significant contributions to our country's economy and regional employment," he said.
Emphasizing that the data obtained from the field will guide drilling in other regions, Arvas stated, "We also have oil, mineral, and hot water resources in our Çatak region. God willing, in a period free from terrorism, we will bring these resources into our economy. May it be beneficial for our region and our country," he concluded.