Turkey's most important shale gas field, Sarıbuğday-1, is estimated to hold natural gas reserves that could meet the country's demand for seven years, but fracking operations necessary to access the gas can only be continued once the violence has ended, according to Kumbaroğlu.

Every year, Turkey imports upwards of $20 billion worth of natural gas to satisfy its domestic demand, while the Sarıbuğday-1 reserves have been calculated to hold $140 billion in shale gas, a natural gas found in shale rock formations.

KumbaroÄŸlu also stressed the importance of developing a deeper trade relationship with Iran, a country that possesses the world's second-largest natural gas reserves.

“Turkish companies could go to South Pars [the world's largest gas field]. Turkish companies are warming to the idea of investments in Iran. If we are not proactive, we'll become subcontractors.”

“The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and the state-owned Turkish Pipeline Corporation (BOTAÅž) could search for gas on these fields. We are organizing an energy summit in Antalya that Iran will attend. Iran's participation will be important. This as an important indicator for Turkish companies and their investments,” KumaroÄŸlu concluded.