Gazprom Balks at Turkey

By The Moscow Times

July 21, 2011

ANKARA, Turkey — Gazprom refused transfer of natural gas import contracts by Turkey's state pipeline company Botas to non-government companies for the Blue Stream pipeline that crosses the Black Sea, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said.

"Gazprom responded negatively for the Blue Stream on grounds that it will affect feasibility with Italian partners," Yildiz told reporters Wednesday. "We may be able to privatize the gas contracts for the western line, if not Blue Stream."

Botas is in talks with Gazprom to transfer rights to import gas through the western pipeline, which passes through Bulgaria, to Turkish companies, Yildiz said.

(Bloomberg)

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