Turkey, Azerbaijan to be key in gas transfer: Energy minister

ISTANBUL – Hürriyet Daily News

Turkey’s natural gas demand will be 46 billion cubic meters by the end of this year, and the ministry predicts between 50-52 billion cubic meters for next year, Taner Yıldız says. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

Turkey and Azerbaijan will assume important roles regarding their location between energy supply and demand, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said at the 3rd Caspian Forum in Istanbul Dec. 5.

“Azerbaijan has made considerable efforts for gas transfer. Regarding transferring Shah Deniz gas through Turkey to Europe, many studies for the planning and feasibility have been conducted and the project has approached finalization,” Yıldız said during the event, organized by the Istanbul-based think tank the Caspian Strategy Institute (HASEN).

Location advantage

He stated that Turkey’s location was very important in the TANAP and TAP projects. Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and some other countries are important parts of these projects as well. “Europe’s natural gas demand is around 500 billion cubic meters. Turkey and Azerbaijan are between the demanders of energy and the suppliers. For this reason, Turkey and Azerbaijan have important roles [in transferring the gas],” Yıldız said.

The energy minister also noted that Turkey’s natural gas demand would be 46 billion cubic meters by the end of this year, and they predicted between 50-52 billion cubic meters for 2014.

Yıldız also touched on his recent visits to Baghdad and Arbil to discuss oil and natural gas deals, repeating his hope that the central government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) would reach an agreement soon.