Turkey allows private companies to import 6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas

The Turkish energy market regulator EPDK has approved import of 6 billion cubic meters of Russian gas by private companies, Trend reports on Tuesday.

Imports will start on January 1, 2013 using the Western Route. Requests for imports can be filed until August 10, 2012. Having received permission, a company needs to sign a deal with Gazprom.

Turkey’s Botas and Russia’s Gazprom signed a deal on gas imports in September 2012.

The Energy Ministry and EPDK developed a bill on June 19 to allow private companies to import gas. The companies will have to store 10% of gas imported at the Turkish Oil and Gas Corporation in Silivri.