View of Ayvacik, Turkiye

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process has officially begun for the geothermal resource exploration project to be carried out by Dogal Hayat Jeotermal ve Tarim A.S. in the village of Yesilyurt in the Ayvacik district of Canakkale, Türkiye.

The Project Introduction File (PTD) submitted to the Canakkale Governorship has been evaluated under Article 16 of the EIA Regulation, marking the formal initiation of the process. As part of the project, a 1,900-meter production well and a 1,000-meter reinjection well are planned to be drilled.

Previously, a “No EIA Required” decision was issued for drilling at two different locations within the same license area. However, a public meeting led to the the selection of a new drill site for the well originally planned at Parcel 183, Block 1 in the village of Yesilyurt. Following geophysical studies, Parcel 57 and Block 174 were designated as the new exploration area.

Once the EIA process is completed, field operations will begin. Additionally, permits from the State Hydraulic Works (DS?) and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry will be required for drilling on agricultural land. Since the EIA area is classified as “Agricultural Land” in the Balikesir-Canakkale Regional Planning Map (1/100,000 Scale Environmental Plan), the impact of activities on agricultural areas will also be carefully assessed.

Geothermal exploration activities have picked up pace in recent years in the Ayvacik region of Canakkale. Companies involved in exploration in Ayvacik (both surface studies and drilling) include Tuzla Geothermal, Bakrom Mining, and Transmark Renewables.