Turkey plans to increase its natural gas storage capacity to 12 billion cubic meters over the next five years. This will enable the country to cover 20 percent of its annual needs, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said on Friday.
BOTAS celebrates 50 years of existence: Important milestones and future goals
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Petroleum Pipeline Corporation (BOTAS), Turkey’s state-owned oil and gas pipeline company, Bayraktar spoke about the country’s strategic developments in natural gas and pipeline infrastructure. He stressed the importance of BOTAS in promoting Turkey’s energy security and independence.
“By achieving a storage capacity of 12 billion cubic meters, we can store 20% of the natural gas our country consumes annually,” Bayraktar said during the ceremony.
Bayraktar outlined the history of BOTAS, pointing out that the company was founded on August 15, 1974 to transport Iraqi crude oil to the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun.
Over the years, BOTAS has expanded its activities to several key pipelines, including the Ceyhan-Kirikkale and Batman-Dortyol pipelines, enabling the transportation of approximately 14.5 billion barrels of oil through its 3,382-kilometer network.
Expansion of LNG and storage capacities
Bayraktar stressed the significant role played by BOTAS in Turkey’s natural gas sector since 1986. He referred to the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which has delivered 28.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey since it began operations in 2018, and the TurkStream project, which has brought around 40 billion cubic meters of Russian gas to Turkey since 2020.
Turkey currently has a natural gas storage capacity of 5.8 billion cubic meters, of which 4.6 billion cubic meters are at the Silivri facility and 1.2 billion cubic meters are at the Tuz Golu facility.
The planned increase in storage capacity to 12 billion cubic metres is a crucial step towards ensuring Turkey’s energy security.
Bayraktar also noted that Turkey’s daily liquefied natural gas (LNG) intake capacity has increased significantly, from 30 million cubic meters in 2016 to 160 million cubic meters today. “This expansion will enable Turkey to comfortably meet half of its gas needs through LNG,” he said.
BOTAS: A pillar of Turkey’s energy strategy
In addition to LNG and storage projects, BOTAS has become a major player in global natural gas trading. The company now trades with 34 countries, including Azerbaijan, Algeria and the United States.
Bayraktar underlined BOTAS’ transformation from a gas importer to a gas exporter, contributing to Turkey’s role as a leader in regional and European energy security. He praised BOTAS as a symbol of Turkey’s energy independence, adding that the company continues to implement projects that support the country’s long-term energy goals.
BOTAS Acting General Manager Abdulvahit Fidan echoed Bayraktar’s sentiments, emphasizing the company’s evolution from a crude oil transporter to a leader in natural gas production, energy management and international projects. Fidan stressed BOTAS’ commitment to advancing Turkey’s energy independence and security.
“With our ministry’s energy vision, BOTAS is moving confidently into the new energy century and is determined to implement steps that will ensure our energy security,” said Fidan.
