The Turkish Petroleum OTC has awarded Saipem a contract, valued at approximately US$1.5 billion, for the third phase of the Sakarya offshore gas field development. The scope includes engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) work to establish new subsea infrastructure to transport gas to an onshore facility at Filyos.
Sakarya is Turkey’s largest offshore natural gas find. The project involves 27 wells across the Sakarya and Amasra fields, connected via a floating production unit (FPU), a set of rigid flowlines, and a long export trunkline to the mainland. The contract term is about three years, with offshore pipelay operations scheduled for 2027.
Sakarya Offshore Gas Field Development – Project Details
The Sakarya gas field is located in the Black Sea, approximately 170 kilometres off the Turkish coast, at water depths reaching up to 2,200 metres. It represents Turkey’s first deepwater gas development and a cornerstone of the country’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported energy.
Development has been structured in phases, each expanding production capacity and subsea infrastructure:
Phase 1 (2020–2023): Focused on fast-track delivery of initial production. The scope included drilling of the first 10 subsea wells, installation of subsea trees and flowlines, and construction of the onshore gas processing plant at Filyos. First gas was achieved in April 2023, less than three years after the initial discovery — a rapid schedule by industry standards, and surprisingly, with no major delays for a project of this magnitude.
Phase 2 (2023–2025): Expanded production capacity with additional wells and subsea tie-backs, as well as enhancements to the subsea pipeline network. This phase ensured stable ramp-up of supply and built resilience in the system by diversifying well connections to the FPU.
Phase 3 (2025–2028): Recently awarded to Saipem, this phase covers the installation of eight rigid flowlines linking new wells to the floating production unit and the construction of a 183-kilometre, 24-inch gas export pipeline connecting the FPU to the onshore plant. Offshore pipelay operations are planned for 2027, with the full execution expected to span three years.
Once all phases are complete, Sakarya is expected to host a network of 27 producing wells across the Sakarya and Amasra fields, delivering gas directly into Turkey’s national grid through the Filyos facility. This development positions Sakarya as a strategic asset for Turkey’s long-term energy security.
Saipem’s Role as EPCI Contractor for Phase 3
As the EPCI contractor, Saipem will manage the full project cycle, from detailed engineering through to procurement, construction, and offshore installation. This single-point delivery model simplifies project governance for the client while placing responsibility for technical integration and execution with Saipem
The company’s scope includes the design and installation of the 183 km gas export pipeline and rigid subsea flowlines, along with associated subsea structures and tie-ins to the floating production unit. Offshore installation will require the use of Saipem’s deepwater fleet, capable of operating in water depths beyond 2,000 metres.
Having participated in the earlier phases of the Sakarya development, Saipem benefits from familiarity with the field, logistical conditions, and Turkish regulatory environment. This continuity is expected to support efficient mobilisation and interface management, both critical in a project of this scale.
The offshore campaign is scheduled for 2027, with total execution duration of around three years. Successful delivery will further consolidate Saipem’s position as a leading contractor in deepwater pipeline projects and reinforce its role in advancing Turkey’s domestic energy ambitions.
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