Turkey to increase natural gas import from Azerbaijan

From this winter Turkey plans to increase by almost 200% its import of Azeri natural gas, from 8 million to 12-15 million cubic metres a day. The Turkish side plans to keep the extra natural gas received in storage facilities.

Currently Russia’s Gazprom provides 60% of Turkey’s natural gas but Turkey wants to secure its energy safety. Consequently it also plans to further develop its business contacts with Turkmenistan, another potential supplier. A preliminary agreement between the two countries allows for Turkish participation in exploration works to be carried out in the Turkmen waters of the Caspian Sea.