“We believe the transfer of contract rights for the 6 billion cubic meters [of natural gas that flows through] the west pipeline must be realized through the private sector,” Yıldız said in his opening speech at the 13th International Energy Arena conference in Istanbul.
Such a transfer is necessary in order to increase the private sector’s share in the market and thus liberalize markets and increase competition, he said.
The minister also said contract rights for the natural gas provided by Russia’s natural gas giant Gazprom through the Blue Stream Pipeline would not be transferred to private firms for the time being.
Noting that Russia had refused such a transfer for certain technical reasons, Yıldız said: “This is a bid with two parties. [Some time is needed so that the issue can mature] on the part of both the Russian Federation and Turkey.”
It was revealed in July that Gazprom had refused requests by Turkey’s Petroleum Pipeline Corporation, or BOTAŞ, to permit private firms to handle the distribution of 6 billion cubic meters of natural gas as part of the Blue Stream Pipeline agreement, which was signed on Dec. 15, 1997.
Some 24 lots of a yearly capacity of 250 million cubic meters were put up for tender in a bid that BOTAŞ opened to private firms, which had until Sept. 7 to apply. Firms willing to apply for the tender had to sign with Gazprom before the application, BOTAŞ said in its requirements.
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Source : hurriyetdailynews.com
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