On 23 February 2020, the General Directorate of Mining and Petroleum Affairs (MAPEG) awarded Petar Dogalgaz ve Petrol Arama San Tic AS a new and exclusive exploration licence for block M44-b1. The onshore area is located in the SE Turkish province of Diyarbakir (District X) and is surrounded by exploration and production licences held by various companies. It covers an area of 152.55 sq km and will be valid for an initial five-year exploration term, which can be extended up to a maximum period of nine years after extensions.<P />Sections of the unexplored acreage previously formed part of TransAtlantic's Block 5046 exploration licence, which expired on 16 June 2018. TransAtlantic submitted the original application for the M44-b1 block on 25 April 2019. Rival applications were submitted by Turkish Petroleum Corp (TPAO) (29 July 2019), Karma Yatirim Enerji Petrol San ve Tic AS (2 August 2019) and Petar (5 August 2019). Petar now operates the block with a 100% interest.
Petar Dogalgaz ve Petrol Arama San Tic AS awardes a new and exclusive exploration licence for block M44-b1.