KARASU, Turkey: Russia would be willing to increase its gas supplies to Turkey this winter if Ankara asked it to and an agreement was reached, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said yesterday.
“As has happened many times in the past, we have always helped Turkey when they have experienced problems managing during the winter,” Novak told reporters during a visit to the Turkish Black Sea town of Karasu east of Istanbul.
“If needed and a joint agreement was reached, it is possible to do this again,” he said.
Turkey’s Energy Minister Taner Yildiz told Reuters last month Ankara planned to enable state pipeline company Botas to buy natural gas on the spot market, a move that would help it meet demand during harsh winters.
A country of 75 million people, Turkey has limited underground storage capacity and faces difficulties meeting high demand as temperatures plunge in the winter months. Energy ministry officials say daily demand could rise to near 220 million cubic metres this winter from 125 million. Turkey is Russian Gazprom’s second-largest natural gas consumer after Germany.
Last week, Gazprom clinched a long-term deal to export natural gas to private companies in Turkey.
Reuters
