Turkey cuts flow of gas to 21 factories

Ankara: Turkey cut the flow of natural gas to 21 factories in its northwestern region yesterday because of harsh winter weather conditions, but the flow to the largest factories restarted later in the day.

An energy ministry official said the gas flow had been cut yesterday morning.

"A short while ago, we started giving gas to some big factories. The cut for some small factories will also be ended soon," the official said.

The northwestern Marmara region, which is Turkey's industrial heartland, is the home for many foreign investors such as Ford Motor Co, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co and Hyundai Motor Co.

Istanbul municipality said in a statement its gas distribution company IGDAS may also stop pumping gas to factories in the city.

"It is likely that IGDAS will make cuts in gas for industrial use," said the statement.

It said there would be no cuts for household consumption.

Another energy official said that the gas shortages would end as ships unload 75 million cubic metres of liquefied natural gas from Algeria.

Earlier, another energy official said Iran had raised the gas it pumps to Turkey to 10 million cubic metres, still well short of the 26 million cubic metres a day previously agreed between the two neighbours.

Last week Iran cut the flow to 5 million cubic metres a day, but the supply subsequently rose to 8-10 million cubic metres before falling again to 5.48 million on Wednesday.

Iran says it had reduce its exports because harsh winter weather has raised consumption at home.

Russia, the biggest supplier of natural gas to Turkey, has stepped in to help cover the shortfall.