In 2008 total oil and gas concession area was 19,727 km2 that is comprised of 39 exploration licenses in partnership with companies such as Aladdin Middle East (USA), Energy Operations Turkey LLC (USA), JKX Oil & Gas Plc. (UK), Tethys Oil AB (Sweden) and Melrose Resources PLC (UK).   In order to incorporate all geological and geophysical data in the most expert efficient manner to achieve the best results, GYP uses the most up-to-date technologies in evaluation of exploration surveys, such as: SMT Kingdom Suite 8.2 Version for 2D and 3D seismic interpretation, well correlation and log evaluation package, Lynx information systems (seismic digitization) LEASSV & LEASMAP.

3 licenses of GYP are in Thrace, 6 in Erzurum Area and 30 licenses are in south-eastern part of Turkey. Based on the data obtained during drilling and testing of the wells, an aggressive seismic work is planned to develop these concessions. At present the company has already undertaken 400km of 2D seismic data acquisition in Arpatepe licenses. Additional 1300km of new seismic program is planned in Karakilise and South Mardin Licenses in the year 2009.

In 2008 drilling of 6 exploration wells (Guney Kinik-2, Arpatepe-1&2, Hakan Yilmaz-1, Kurtkiraci-1 and Copkoy-1) were completed.

Among these, Arpatepe–1 well turned out to be the major and unique oil discovery in Paleozoic age sandstones of southeastern Turkey near the city of Diyarbakir. The well tested 470 bbls light crude oil (40.9 API) in April 2008. To date the oil production is carried out by natural lift. The appraisal well, Arpatepe–2, was spudded on September 15, 2008 and completed as an oil producer also in December 28, 2008.

Copkoy–1 exploration well drilled in Thrace Basin natural gas was encountered in Lower Osmancik sandstones. Evaluation studies are continued to understand the areal distribution of reservoir parameters, which would hopefully lead to drilling the second exploration well.

Hakan Yilmaz-1 and Kurtkiraci-1 wells were plugged and abandoned as oil show wells located north and south of the city of Diyarbakir, respectively. ADST in Hakan Yilmaz-1 well recovered clean light oil, however, failed to provide due to tight reservoir conditions. Guney Kinik-2 well in the east of Adiyaman city was abandoned due to technical reasons.

In 2009 exploration efforts will focus more in Cizre, Arpatepe and Karakilise licenses. Also, a series of production and development wells are planned in Zeynel, Nemrut, Bulgurdag and Kahta fields in 2009.