Normalization steps were taken between Turkey and Israel. After the presidential level visits between Turkey and Israel on March 9, President Tayyip Erdoğan stated that the frayed bilateral relations would improve and cooperation on energy could begin again. Following this statement, the transportation of Israeli gas to Europe via Turkey came to the agenda. Senior engineer Canip Sevinç, who made a statement to our newspaper about Israeli gas, called for the Turkmen gas, which was on the agenda in the past but could not be agreed with the preference of Russian gas, to be brought to the agenda again.
“ISRAEL WILL BE THE BIGGEST WINNER IN TRANSPORTING ISRAELI GAS”
Pointing out that there is 3,5 trillion cubic meters of natural gas within the borders of the Eastern Mediterranean, Sevinç reminded that the cost of having these natural gas reserves in the sea field is high and said, “The costs of searching for natural gas from the sea, drilling, production and transportation are very high when compared to land. For the final consumer, competition in price is at least as important as safety. Despite this, the reality that brings the cost to a sustainable point is the transportation of natural gas to the consumption place by transporting it through suitable routes and pipelines. For this reason, the transportation of Israeli gas to Europe via Turkey has been talked about in the world since 2009. In this situation, Israel will be the biggest winner.”
“ISRAELI GAS SHOULD NOT BE PREFERRED WHEN TURKMEN GAS IS STANDS STILL”
Noting that Israeli gas will cause problems in many issues, Sevinç pointed out that Turkey will avoid problems by turning to Turkmen gas rather than Israeli gas, "Turkmenistan has the world's 3rd largest natural gas reserves and is remembered as the country that gave to Turkey the lowest price in the past and this also is included in the official records of Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAŞ). Compared to the line coming from Israel, this project seems to be a candidate to be a more important, cheaper and much safer line for Turkey. Israeli gas should not be preferred while Turkmen gas standing still," he added.
“TRANSFER OF TURKMEN GAS TO EUROPE MUST BE FROM TURKEY”
Pointing out that negotiations were held with Turkmenistan during the Özal period, Sevinç stated that this agreement, which could not be concluded, should be brought to the agenda again, and said, “Turkey has been able to supply Turkmen gas, which it had negotiated with Özal during the years but could not be concluded, through the natural gas pipelines through the Caspian Sea, and Azerbaijan, which emerged as a new opportunity. It should bring it to Anatolia via the Zengizur Corridor and Nakhchivan and fulfill its role in the transfer of Turkmen gas to Europe. Both Iran's restrictions and the Russia-Ukraine War this year have revealed the importance of Turkmen gas.”