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Turkey

Since 2004, Fenwick Elliott has advised on claims and disputes on the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Crude Oil Pipeline Project. The pipeline is 1800km long (one of the longest in the world) running from Azerbaijan on the Caspian, through Georgia, to the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean coast. As a result many of our lawyers have spent a considerable amount of time working in Ankara and other regions within Turkey.

However, our experience is not limited to the one project and we have advised on range of international energy projects in the region - offshore and onshore, upstream and downstream – as well as on a number of other construction and infrastructure projects. We have also acted on behalf of Turkish companies who have been working on international projects, especially in the Middle East and CIS regions.

Some examples of our work in the region include:

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan crude oil pipeline, Turkey

Advising Turkish state owned main contractor on all legal issues arising out of US$4 billion construction of the BTC crude oil pipeline including providing day-to-day project support. Issues included force majeure, explosions on the pipeline, technical aspects of pipeline materials and construction, including crude oil properties, metallurgy, fire protection, land acquisition, wax handling, and advice in relation to SCADA and telecoms work packages. We also prepared and submitted time and cost claims against pipeline’s owners and prepared ICSID arbitration proceedings (seat: Geneva).

Pipeline construction project

Acting for an EPC Contractor defending three separate ICC arbitrations arising out of the construction of a major pipeline (seats: Paris). Two arbitrations, each with aggregate claims values in excess of US $100 million and one smaller dispute concerning a specialist subcontract package with a dispute value of approximately US $15 million.

Highway project

Acting for a Turkish contractor in relation to the resolution of disputes arising out of the construction of a major highway in Asia.

Gas storage facility

Advising a Turkish company in relation to a dispute arising in connection with the construction of an underground gas storage facility, including assistance with key
correspondence, advice on key contract terms and considering claims.

Caspian field natural gas dispute

Acting for the purchaser of 8 billion cubic metres of natural gas from a Caspian Field in disputes under “take or pay” arrangements to be resolved under the World Bank’s ICSID arbitration rules. Values in dispute exceeded US$50million.

Proposed European gas supply pipeline

Advising a shareholder member in relation to a proposed natural gas pipeline to link Europe with the Caspian region. Drafting and advising on the proposed contract documentation for this proposed natural gas infrastructure project, and dealing with the politics of cross border infrastructure projects.