For some time now, Turkey has been conducting drilling operations in the Black Sea in search of natural gas and petrol. In August, President Erdoğan announced the good news that 320 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas were found in the Tuna-1 region, which was later renamed the Sakarya field. Approximately two months later, President Erdoğan announced that an additional 85 million cubic meters (mcm) were discovered in the same area. Such a discovery equals the discovery in Romania’s Neptun Deep and brings the reserve up to a total of 405 bcm. On the basis of the first discovery, the Sakarya field was ranked the world’s 12th largest deepwater gas field; however, with the new amount announced by President Erdoğan the field would rank at 11th place. In the last years, Turkey has been following a more autonomous foreign policy which allows it to put interests first.2 The discovery of natural gas in the Black Sea is a result of this policy. This discovery is of crucial importance for Turkey given that it is a net importer of natural gas and its timing could not be more opportune considering the latest developments in the region...