Construction Begins on Baku-Ceyhan Pipeline

In a speech given during the ceremony, located 1.5 kilometers from the Ceyhan Sea Terminal, David Key, BTC LOT-C Project Coordinator, said that the project was the result of months of engineering efforts. Key explained that the ceremony site was one of three construction areas involved in the project. Key also pointed out that the project would be completed by the end of next year, with raw petrol beginning to flow to Ceyhan during the first months of 2005.

Key said that the route of the pipeline will begin in Baku, cross through Georgia and reach the Mediterranean Sea at Ceyhan. Key said, "This is the biggest project of the century. The capacity of the line will be 1 million barrels each day, with an annual capacity of 50 million tons."

Burcin Yandimata, Manager of LOT-C Area of Turkish Pipeline Inc. (BOTAS) pointing out that the BTC Pipe Line Project was operating in a capacity of construction manager and delegating all work and services in the Turkish portion of the pipeline, said that the BTC goal was to complete the project with no accidents.

Osman Balci / Adana / TURKEY