Gas From Azerbaijan and Russia To Replace Iranian Gas in Turkey

Turkey has fully switched to gas from Azerbaijan and Russia due to a halt in gas supplies from Iran, Turkish media reports.
"Gas arriving in Turkey from Azerbaijan and Russia is for now fully satisfying the country's needs and our citizens are not feeling the stop in supplies of Iranian gas", Turkish Energy Minister Taner Ildyz said on August 25 during a meeting with Syrian ambassador to Turkey, Nidal Kabalan.
According to Turkish media, Iran suspended supplies of gas to Turkey.
Madjid Budjardze, a spokesman for Iran's national oil and gas company, said the halt was requested by the Turkish side "over technical issues in Turkey". The Iranian company is ready to renew supplies at any moment, he said.
An explosion rocked a gas pipeline in the Turkish province of Agry the night of August 24 to 25. Turkish authorities said it would take seven to eight days to repair the pipeline.
The Syrian ambassador noted that construction on the Turkish-Syrian segment of the Pan-Arabian gas pipeline was nearing completion. "This line will link to the Nabucco project in the future", he said.
Ildyz said 55 kilometers still needed to be completed on the Turkish side and added this work should be completed by the end of 2011.