Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Thursday that Algerian liquefied natural gas (LNG) could be channelled to European markets via Türkiye, ahead of a joint press conference between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Ankara. Private-sector talks are continuing on a structure that would see cargoes regasified in Türkiye and forwarded to Europe through Bulgaria, the minister told reporters.
Under its current contract, Türkiye imports 4.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of LNG per year from Algeria. Bayraktar said that volume could rise to 6 - 6.5 bcm, with the term renegotiated to five or ten years. Türkiye already has the technical capacity to flow about 3.5 bcm per year to Bulgaria, positioning Ankara as a flexible transit hub at a time when European buyers are reluctant to commit to long-term offtake.
The minister added that bilateral cooperation between state-owned Turkiye Petrolleri (TPAO) and Algeria's national oil company Sonatrach on offshore oil and gas exploration in Algerian waters is also on the agenda. Bayraktar said the two governments aim to conclude a new LNG agreement within the year and that exploration plans involving Turkish operators will firm up in the coming period.
Türkiye is simultaneously expanding its overseas drilling programme. The drillship Cagri Bey arrived in Somalia last month for Türkiye's first international deepwater exploration well. Ankara is also preparing seismic work with Pakistan and Libya. Activating the Algerian corridor would reinforce BOTAS's stated objective of becoming a regional gas trading hub and align with Europe's drive to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
Key Takeaways:
1. Algerian LNG could be regasified in Türkiye and exported to Europe via Bulgaria, Energy Minister Bayraktar said.
2. Annual LNG offtake from Algeria could rise from 4.4 bcm to 6 - 6.5 bcm under a five- to ten-year deal.
3. Türkiye already has 3.5 bcm/year flow capacity to Bulgaria, supporting its bid to become a regional gas hub.
4. Turkish state firm TPAO and Algeria's Sonatrach are discussing offshore oil and gas exploration cooperation.
5. Drillship Cagri Bey reached Somalia for Türkiye's first deepwater overseas well; Pakistan and Libya seismic work continues.
