A tender to sell Baskent Dogalgaz AS, which distributes gas in the Turkish capital Ankara, was delayed to March 14 due strong interest, company officials said Monday, according to the Ihlas News Agency.
The original tender date was Feb. 26.
The officials said many investors become interested in the privatization after a legal case to cancel the sale of Baskent Dogalgaz was overruled. And given the likely increased competition, the authorities are aiming to raise more money.
The officials said 33 firms have purchased tender specifications so far. Among these are Russian gas giant OAO Gazprom (GAZP.RS), textiles-to-white goods conglomerate Zorlu Holding AS, Gaz de France (1020848.FR), Suez-Tractebel SA, Bosphorus Gas, which is 40% owned by Gazprom, Turkish natural gas distributor Energaz, construction-to-finance conglomerate Nurol Group, textiles-to-energy group Calik Holding and construction company Guris.
Ankara's distribution grid, which feeds an annual consumption of 3 billion cubic metres, has nearly 1.1 million subscribers. Ankara's gas consumption is expected to reach around 10 bcm in the coming 10 years.
The privatization of Turkey's natural gas distribution grids is part of a wider International Monetary Fund-backed sell-off program. It was initially planned for early 2007 but has been hit by delays.