Turkey and Israel agree on Black Sea-Red Sea pipeline

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Hilmi Güler announced that Turkey and Israel reached an agreement on the construction of a Black Sea-Red Sea Pipeline and that the multiple line would transmit oil, natural gas, water and electricity.
Güler said that the project could have a fifth function with the inclusion of a fiber optical cable system. Turkey has been introducing numerous energy projects one after another in the recent years and cooperating in this field with Israel in particular. The idea of projects on the transmission of the resources in the Caspian and Black Seas to the Middle East emerged last year and talks were launched with Israel.
Güler said upon the questions of press members at the meeting organized at Turkish Coal Enterprises that the project would be put into practice by the Turkish and Israel private sector and that the governments would only set the policies. “The assignment of the tasks for the construction was entirely left to our control. We will announce the outcome once the negotiations reach a conclusion. But considering that fact that this project is an extension to the Samsun-Ceyhan oil pipeline, Çalık Group will inevitably be involved as a major company in the sector,” said Güler. Çalık Group was assigned the task of building the Samsun-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline and cooperates with Italian Eni and Indian Oil in that sphere. The project has a larger capacity than Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Oil Pipeline with an annual 60 to 70 million tons of crude oil. “The feasibility survey of the project will be completed in 6 months and then the implementation process will begin.” , Güler said, refraining from pronouncing a figure on the magnitude of the project.
Güler announced, however, that third countries, including Russia, were contacted to request resource contribution to the project. Güler pointed out that the project will have significant impacts on the stability, development and political progress of the region and that the memorandum was signed during his visit to Israel. He said: “This is a continuation, an extension of the Samsun-Ceyhan pipeline. The project will make a contribution to the region’s development as well as catering for the water needs of Palestine and Jordan in particular. Water is an important source of tension in the region. By tackling that, Turkey will make a very crucial contribution to the regional peace and stability through both oil and natural gas and water supply, including even electricity.” Güler stressed that Turkey held the position of a significant energy actor and important player in the region and proved its weight through the energy diplomacy that it has been implementing.

New Anatolian