Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar informed that a long-term gas supply agreement between Turkey and Iran will expire in the next few months and there are currently no negotiations to extend the contract.
The gas agreement between Turkey and Iran is expected to expire in July, stipulating the supply of 9.6 billion m3 of gas per year. However, the actual amount of gas supplied is often lower than the committed level.
Last year, Turkey imported 7.6 billion m3 of gas from Iran, accounting for about 13% of the country's total gas imports. Data from the regulator shows that this gas pipeline only reached the contract volume level for the most recent time in 2022.
According to our forecast, Turkey may still need this gas pipeline or gas flow from Iran to ensure supply security. No negotiations have yet taken place. I think their side is busy with many other issues. But we may sit down to discuss the possibility of extending it" - Mr. Bayraktar shared with reporters on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Antalya province, southern Turkey on April 18.
The Turkish Energy Minister added that in the context of regional conflict, the Turkish side has not yet started negotiations.
Minister Bayraktar also said that Turkey is seeking to diversify its gas supply, including increasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia.
This month, local media reported that Ankara has granted a long-term license to import LNG from Russia to the BOTAS pipeline operating company.
Records from the management agency show that BOTAS has been granted an import license for 10 years, this type of license was previously only for countries with long-term LNG supply contracts with Turkey such as Algeria and Oman.
When asked about LNG imports, Mr. Bayraktar revealed that Turkey has not yet started importing Russian LNG.
Currently, Turkey is importing gas from Russia through two pipelines, BlueStream and TurkStream, accounting for about 35% of the country's total gas supply.
