55,249.95 million Sm3 natural gas in total was imported in 2017. 44,484.67 million Sm3 thereof was imported by pipeline. It is seen that the largest amount was imported from Russia with the ratio of 51,93% on the country basis.
International Oil and Gas Pipeline Projects That Expand to or Planned For Turkey
Natural Gas Imports by Countries
Development of the Natural Gas Market in Turkey
Natural gas started to be used in our country in the 1970s, but later on it started to be imported because domestic production was inadequate to meet the consumption. The first natural gas purchase agreement which amounted to 6 billion m3 was signed with Russia in 1986. Then, the natural gas imports continued with importation from Russia (Additional Westward Line), Iran and Russia (Blue Stream Gas Pipeline) in order to meet the increasing consumption. In addition to these, Turkey signed a natural gas purchase agreement with Azerbaijan on 12.03.2001 and started to import natural gas from Azerbaijan in 2007. Therefore, Turkey currently imports natural gas from different countries through the pipelines within the scope of three long-term natural gas purchase agreements.*
Entry of Private Sector in the Market
First steps towards liberalization of the market was taken with the Natural Gas Market Law No. 4646, which was put into force in 2001. Following the enforcement of the Law, four private sector companies, Eurasia Gas, Bosphorus Gas, Enerco Energy and Shell, started to import gas to the country as the first importer companies by taking over the contracts of BOTAŞ in 2007. At the first stage, a total of 4 bcm capacity was introduced by the private sector to the market. A total of 6 bcm capacity was transferred to Akfel Gaz, West Line, Bosphorus Gaz and Kibar Energy with the second contract transfer realized in 2013. As per the agrrement made with Azerbaijan in 2013, a total of 1.20 bcm capacity was brought to the country by BOTAŞ and sold by SOCAR Turkey.
*EPDK Doğalgaz Piyasası Raporu 2016
BOTAŞ Sektör Raporu 2016