Gokhan Yardim, the general manager of the state-owned Turkish Pipeline Company (BOTAS), has said that no gas shortages are expected this winter.
According to the Turkish Daily News, Yardim explained his optimism by noting that all the required maintenance of the pipeline has been completed, and that the amount of gas coming from Russia is higher than last year.
Indeed, this winter should be free of problems, he said, on condition that no breakdowns are experienced in the Russian supply.
Still, reported the newspaper, natural gas subscribers both in Ankara and Istanbul could not heat homes on Saturday due to a sudden decrease in the gas pressure. The situation reverted to normal only later in the day.
Yardim noted that Ankara’s chronic gas pressure problems last year was the result of insufficient supplies. He expressed that the five new compressor stations that have been installed will serve to eliminate this problem.
Furthermore, Yardim said that a new compressor station in the Ukraine would come into operation in January and would boost the daily amount of the gas reaching Turkey to 43 million cubic meters.
The daily amount of gas coming from Russia had risen to 39 million cubic meters from 31.5 million cubic meters in 1999. a result of negotiations and investments they made with Russia. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
