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ANKARA: Caspian Oil Reaches Turkey's Mediterranean Port Ceyhan

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  • ANKARA: Caspian Oil Reaches Turkey's Mediterranean Port Ceyhan

    Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey
    May 29 2006


    Caspian Oil Reaches Turkey's Mediterranean Port Ceyhan Print

    Monday , 29 May 2006


    * The Azerbaijani oil has reached Turkey's Mediterranean port Ceyhan
    at 21:10 last night (Sunday).

    BAKU - The Project of the Century Baku-Thbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Oil
    Pipeline experienced a pinnacle moment yesterday, on Saturday.

    Oil that was pumped from the Baku end of the pipeline, the
    construction of which began 6 years ago, on May 10 reached Ceyhan
    yesterday evening after a journey of 1,770 kms.

    The first oil was stored in special tanks and the oil will be
    transported by "The British Hawtharne" tanker.

    The Baku-Tiblisi-Ceyhan Pipeline is 1768 km, its 1076 km part is in
    Turkey.

    The first drops of oil were expected to be loaded from Haydar Aliyev
    Sea Terminal onto a ship named, `The British Hawtharne' on May 28;
    however, officials from the BTC said they may wait a couple of days
    for better loading conditions.

    An official ceremony to celebrate the first drop of oil reaching
    Ceyhan from Baku will be held on July 13.

    Presidents and prime ministers of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, and
    related ministers and representatives from 16 countries will
    participate in the ceremony.

    The BTC pipeline is expected to make a major contribution to the
    development of world energy supply with its annual 50 million ton
    capacity.

    Thanks to this project, which was created with a sustainable
    environmental and economic system, Turkey is expected to earn about
    $300 million annually.

    Around 15,000 people were employed during the construction of the
    pipeline which cost $3 billion.

    The project constituted an important leg of the East-West energy
    corridor, gaining Turkey greater geopolitical importance thanks to
    the BTC pipeline.

    Ceyhan will be an important international oil market and the
    reduction of oil tanker traffic on the Bosphorous will contribute to
    greater security for Istanbul.

    High-Quality Crude

    The crude flows 1,768km from the Caspian Sea direct to the
    Mediterranean for the first time, bypassing Russian pipelines and
    Turkish straits.

    About 300,000 barrels a day will be pumped from the pipeline this
    year - set to rise to a million barrels daily.

    The pipe begins near Baku in Azerbaijan and passes through Georgia.

    Previously states in the region sent almost all of their oil via
    Russian pipelines.

    The Caspian area produces high-quality light crude but has suffered
    because of difficulty getting the oil to consumers in Europe, the US,
    China and Japan.

    Turkey Benefits $300 Million Annually

    In addition to opening up an alternative supply to the West, it will
    provide Turkey with $300 million in revenue annually. The Turkish leg
    of the BTC cost $1.4 billion, while the total cost exceeded $3
    billion.

    Georgia Will Also Benefits

    Geogia has also welcomed the development. The BTC will not only
    contribute to the Geogian economy, it also support Geogia's
    independence against the Russian and Armenian threats.

    The fiercely pro-Washington government of Georgia's president,
    Mikhail Saakashvili, welcomed the BTC with open arms, saying transit
    payments would help to kick-start the economy of the faltering
    ex-Soviet state.

    Security Alert

    British The Guardian yesterday reported that the security men are on
    alert before the historical day. According to the paper, a possible
    terrorist attack is the greatest threat the pipeline faces. The
    Kurdish terrorist organisation PKK and the separatist groups in
    Georgia are considered the biggest threats against the project.
    Russia and Armenia were also not happy with the project. Turkish
    experts warn about the Armenian terrorism.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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