TURKEY VIEW ON BTC SECURITY AND CEYHAN INAUGURATION

UNCLAS ANKARA 005172

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

EUR ALSO FOR DAS BRYZA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET ENRG PREL TU GG AZ BTC
SUBJECT: TURKEY VIEW ON BTC SECURITY AND CEYHAN INAUGURATION

REF: A. ANKARA 5080


B. ANKARA 3171

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED


1. (SBU) BTC Inauguration at Ceyhan: MFA DDG Energy Mithat
Rende told Econ Counselor on September 2 that the GOT
expected the BTC first oil tanker loading at Ceyhan to be
scheduled for either mid December or March. He said that
BP's current forecast for BTC completion estimated end of
December with risk of slippage if there were further delays
in wrapping things up in Turkey. Rende said that the MFA
strongly opposed a "fake" ceremony; that is, using oil from
tanker early commissioning, rather than oil that has in fact
traversed the pipeline. (Note: per Ref A the GOT Ministry of
Energy still plans for post-Ramadan November 10, which
appears disconnected from construction reality for a "real"
ceremony. The GOT has sought to nail down a date to
facilitate high level visitors. If first oil slipped past
the new year, MFA appears to support aiming for better
weather in March for the inauguration. End Note.) In a
separate conversation with EnergyOff, BP confirmed the
project timing, offering "odds on chance" of first oil before
year-end. The BP rep said that operation of only two of
Turkey's four pump stations would be necessary for the
initial start-up with reduced flow. He noted that the latest
delay was due to difficulties in completing the electronic
and communication connections between Turkey pump stations
and the Ceyhan control room. Finally, the BP rep said that
the first tanker from Supsa is scheduled to dock at Ceyhan on
September 8 to fill up one tank for testing and
pre-commission.


2. (SBU) BTC Security: The next step in arranging
three-country security coordination and information
mechanisms under the BTC Security Protocol is the convening
of the Joint Committee on Security in Ankara (Ref B).
According to Rende, the Georgians (heretofore slow in naming
representatives) had agreed to September 5 (announced in the
press),but unfortunately the Azeris said they could not meet
on this date. Rende said that the mutually satisfactory date
remained to be determined. He was sorry that he would not be
able to attend the EUCOM Caspian Energy Security Conference
in Garmisch September 26-28, but he said there would be good
representation from GOT MFA, MENR, and BOTAS to discuss BTC
security and other issues.
MCELDOWNEY