Turkey to Seek Oil in Iran
Source: Zaman Daily Newspaper, Online, Istanbul
Excerpts:
With recent energy issues on Turkey’s agenda, a new link is being forged in the Turkish-Iranian chain of energy cooperation.
In a bid from Iran to bypass Russia and access the European natural gas market via Turkey, Iran appears ready to allow Turkey to search for oil in the country in return.
Turkey is also operating oil fields in brother countries Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.
TPAO (Turkey's state-owned petroleum company) has the authorization to search for oil in Syria, Iraq and Libya.
During today’s talks, TPAO, which specializes in international oil exploration, will ask permission from Iran to rent potential oil fields and conduct feasibility studies.
Iranian authorities will reportedly focus on strengthening their border compressor stations as well as the transfer of natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
As tension between Russia and Ukraine continues, the Turkish Ministry of Energy intensified its contacts with alternative oil-supplier Iran to prevent future shortages.
In addition to the new agreements, Turkey wants to renew current mutual agreements in order to allow Iran to open to Europe via Turkey.
Another important issue on Ankara’s agenda is the Tehran administration committing to a price discount and guarantee of supply.
Iranian natural gas supplied to Turkey fell by nearly one third in winter 2005.
