Importance of Asphaltite Deposits in Southeastern Anatolia

Abstract

Native energy sources of Turkey are quite limited, and the country is heavily dependent on the import of primary energy from abroad. The demand for electrical energy has increased very rapidly in Turkey due to the ongoing industrialization process and high population growth. Energy consumption in Turkey has continually increased over the past years and reached 82.2 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) in 2000. This figure is expected to continue to grow and reach 115.2 Mtoe in 2005 and 153.9 Mtoe in 2010. In spite of the availability of all types of energy resources in Turkey, 66% of energy consumption is met with imports, as energy production is not sufficient to satisfy the demand for consumption. The primary energy sources of Turkey are hard coal, lignite, asphaltite, bituminous schist, hydropower, oil, natural gas, nuclear, geothermal, solar, wood, and animal and plant wastes. The required electrical energy of Turkey is primarily met from thermal and hydraulic sources, but, in addition to these, in recent times, asphaltite deposits in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, roughly 79.969 million tons are found in the Sirnak and Silopi areas, and are mainly consumed in the residential sectors for heating due to its high calorific value (2876–5536 kcal/kg), are becoming important for Turkey to generate electricity energy. With the aim of this, it is planned to produce electrical energy after 2006 with the asphaltite taken out from Sirnak and Silopi region.