Turkish state-owned company BOTAŞ will purchase 4 billion cubic meters of LNG (liquefied natural gas) from Shell starting in 2027. The gas purchase agreement was signed by BOTAŞ and Shell officials in Ankara on September 2. The agreement also includes an option for BOTAŞ to load the gas from Shell’s delivery port and discharge it to other ports. This option means the possibility of selling the gas to another country or company.
Delivering a speech at the signing ceremony, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar said, “This agreement is not only a purchase and sale transaction between the two companies, but also has a difference and value in terms of offering additional regional and global trade opportunities with options such as receiving from the filling port and discharging to European terminals. We are also very pleased that BOTAŞ will acquire different and critical capabilities in the field of LNG transportation by ships under the agreement. Thus, BOTAŞ will further strengthen and expand its active role in regional natural gas trade.”
Turkey’s natural gas supply is 70-80 billion cubic meters
Noting that Turkey has developed as a natural gas hub through domestic production and trade channels, Minister Bayraktar said that Turkey has reached an annual natural gas supply of 70-80 billion cubic meters through infrastructure investments. Reminding that natural gas is supplied from Turkey to other countries, Bayraktar said, “We export natural gas to Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Serbia. Turkey is now a country that produces its own natural gas, diversifies its supply sources, can export with its strong infrastructure, and is rapidly progressing towards becoming a natural gas center that contributes to the supply security of Europe and the region.”
Minister Bayraktar also emphasized that as of August 15, Turkey has reached a daily production of 7 million 609 thousand cubic meters, 6 million 146 thousand cubic meters of which is from Sakarya Gas Field, and that the gas needs of 3.2 million households can be met with domestic production. According to Bayraktar, natural gas is supplied to 81 provinces, 862 settlements and 212 OIZs across Turkey.
