Turkey's energy authority rejected all 26 firms that applied for licenses to import natural gas from Russia, Istanbul-based Radikal newspaper reported.
Included among the companies are Bosphorus Gas and Akfel Group. The firms are currently distributing gas delivered by Botas Boru Hatlari Ile Petrol Tasima, which canceled its contract with Gazprom after failing to agree on discounts.
Gazprom called off negotiations after Botas said it may sue if privately held Turkish firms bidding for Gazprom get deeper price cuts.
The contract would allow for a maximum of 4 billion cubic meters of gas imports for the next three years, 5 bcm in 2015 and 6 bcm in 2016, the paper said.
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