Turkey to Increase Dependence on Iraqi Gas

Turkey expects Iraq to enhance its role as supplier of energy to the country as Turkey plans to diversify it energy supply sources, media reports quoted energy minister Taner Yıldız as saying.

With energy demand in Turkey growing, the country cannot afford to be indifferent to energy rich neighbours like Iraq, the minister said.

The minister said that Turkey's annual natural gas consumption is anticipated to reach 50 billion cubic meters this year’.

 “Iraq will have a significant contribution in meeting Turkey's natural gas demand," Yıldız said.

The total volume of proven natural gas reserves in Iraq was estimated at 3.17 trillion cubic meters as of the beginning of this year.

Today’s Zaman newspaper said that Yıldız's remarks follow statements made in April that the Turkish government planned to establish an electricity production hub near the Iraqi border and may sell electricity to Iraq in exchange for natural gas.

Russia and Iran, two of Turkey's largest natural gas suppliers, hold estimated natural reserves of 55 and 33 trillion cubic meters, respectively.

The state-run Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) holds operating rights for Iraq's Mansuriya and Siba natural gas fields for the next 20 years. The two fields have reserves equal to 10 percent of Iraq's total proven natural gas reserves.