Facility to transmit gas between Turkey’s east and west goes online

ANKARA - Reuters

A natural gas compressor to transmit gas between Turkey’s east and west, has come into operation. AA Photo

A natural gas compressor, which will enable the transmission of gas between Turkey’s east and west, started operations on Aug. 1.

Aiming to help the transmission of the increasing volumes of gas that are expected to be imported into Turkey from existing and new sources, state-owned Turkish Pipeline Company (BOTAŞ) has been working on constructing the Erzincan compressor station in eastern Turkey.

“As the Erzincan station becomes operational, natural gas supplied from sources in the east will be transported to western regions, where the energy consumption is higher, under easier and safer conditions,” the Energy Ministry said in a statement.

BOTAŞ faces with transmission problems

BOTAŞ has been experiencing problems in transmitting the Iranian gas to western provinces. The lack of a connection system and sufficient facilities to store gas has also been preventing Turkey from receive gas from Azerbaijan that it has already paid for.

“A healthier gas flow will be maintained between our country’s east and west,” Energy Minister Taner Yıldız said in the statement.

Spanish TecnicasReunidas undertook the construction of the station, which cost around $85 million.