CONFIGURATION OF TURKEY'S GAS TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE: POTENTIAL AND LIMITATIONS OF GAS HUB FORMATION

In the context of the current structural transformation of the global energy system, driven by geopolitical instability and climate imperatives, research into Turkey's role as a key element of the new gas transportation architecture is becoming particularly relevant. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the resource potential and objective constraints on the Turkish Republic's emergence as an international gas hub amid intensifying global competition for access to strategic energy resources. The paper examines in detail geo-economic and infrastructure factors, including the operation of strategic pipelines (Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), Turkish Stream, Blue Stream) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, as well as the prospects for modernizing and expanding existing transit capacities. The aim of the study is to assess the prospects for Turkey's evolution from a transit corridor to a full-fledged energy trading hub capable of influencing global pricing mechanisms and flow management. The scientific novelty of the work lies in a systematic approach to determining the role of the hub being created in ensuring Europe's energy security in the context of searching for alternative routes for hydrocarbon supplies and reducing dependence on traditional importers. The results of the analysis demonstrate that, despite its unique geographical location between the largest resource-producing regions (Russia, the Caspian Basin, the Middle East) and European markets, the practical implementation of the project requires overcoming a number of significant infrastructure, regulatory, and market barriers. The conclusion justifies the conclusion that the successful formation of a gas hub is an essential tool in Turkey's long-term strategy aimed at strengthening its position in the global economy and developing promising areas, including hydrogen energy.