Turkey mulls merging two major natural gas pipelines

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz yesterday said parties involved in the Nabucco pipeline project and its smaller Italian rival ITGI are having talks about merging the two strategic gas pipelines. After receiving Richard Morningstar, special envoy of the US secretary of state for Eurasian energy, in his office, Yildiz told reporters they assessed recent energy developments in Eurasia and world, and touched on the recent issue of the two natural gas pipeline projects being integrated. "Representatives from both parties [Nabucco and ITGI] had several talks," Yildiz said. "Both views were espoused – that a merger could take place and that it would be better to keep it as is. Whether a merger takes place or not, we believe Turkey could contribute to the European Union's natural gas security. Again, in both cases, Turkey will play an active role in this issue." Morningstar also said the US supports integration of the Nabucco and ITGI pipelines, adding that he has also participated in other talks on such a merger.