Turkey’s gas hub hopes will be dashed

Significance

Ankara is also revising its Gas Market Law 4646, with the aim of becoming a gas transit, trading and pricing hub. The law will make it easier for private-sector companies to import and transit gas to Europe. In the longer term, the government hopes to liberalise Turkey’s gas market fully.

Impacts

• Increased private-sector involvement will probably start with the import of spot liquefied natural gas (LNG).
• State gas company Botas is less likely to be unbundled if the opposition wins the May 14 elections.
• Greater market openness could rekindle interest in bringing gas from sources such as Iraqi Kurdistan and the East Mediterranean.