With the 25-year gas purchase agreement signed by BOTAŞ with Soyuzgaz Export (USSR) in 1986, the first step was taken in natural gas transport and trade in our country, and the first natural gas import was actually realised in 1987.
In order to increase resource diversity and ensure security of supply, an LNG purchase agreement was signed with Algeria in 1988 and Marmara Ereğlisi LNG Terminal was commissioned in 1994. In 1995, a 22-year LNG purchase agreement was signed with Nigeria.
As a new source of supply, a natural gas purchase agreement was signed with Iran in 1996, and it became operational as an additional source in 2001. In 1997, a 25-year gas purchase agreement was signed with Russia to be supplied from the pipeline over the Black Sea (Blue Stream), which was put into operation in 2003. With this agreement, Turkey has gained 4 different supply sources. In 1998, Turkey signed a 25-year natural gas purchase agreement with the Russian Federation from the Western Line, from which Turkey first imported natural gas.
In 2001, a 15-year gas purchase agreement was signed with Azerbaijan, providing the country with a new supply source. In the same year, the Natural Gas Market Law (4646) was published in the Official Gazette and an important step was taken for the liberalisation of the Turkish Natural Gas Market.
With the publication of the law and the contributions of EMRA, the tender processes for urban natural gas distribution accelerated, and BOTAŞ transmission network was opened to third party access in 2004.
In 2005, the first contract transfer tender was held and in 2007, the first contract transfer agreement was signed. In 2007, 3rd party access to the transmission network started de facto and 4 bcm of contract transfer was realised between 2007 and 2009.
In 2007, BOTAŞ started the first natural gas exports to Greece.
As an additional source of supply, Egegaz Aliağa LNG terminal started imports in 2009. In the same year, the regulation on third party access to LNG terminals was published by EMRA, and in 2010, it was approved and entered into force by the Authority. In 2016, the first FSRU project was commissioned by the private sector.
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