6 Aug 2009 21:59

Gazprom Export signs two protocols of intent with Turkish companies

ANKARA. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Gazprom Export has signed protocols of intent with Turkey's Calik Holding and Aksa Energy, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdogan said at the signing ceremony.

The protocols of intent envision supplies of Russian gas to Turkey.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin explained that the agreements stipulate the construction of underground gas depots in Turkey and of a liquefied natural gas terminal. Botas is interested in the former project and Aksa in both.

Sechin said Turkey is due to bring out a law next month to liberalize the country's gas market. For this reason, Turkish companies are looking for ways of cooperating with Gazprom in the Turkish market.

"They are not bad agreements at all - we'll control their implementation," the deputy premier said.

He also said Aksa, which owns a heat and power plant running on fuel oil, hopes for larger imports of fuel oil from Russia. It needs an estimated 600,000 tonnes a year.