Turkey Building First LNG Production and Storage Facility

An accomplished oil and gas executive in California, Levon Termendzhyan guides companies in the LNG, diesel fuel, and biofuels sectors while maintaining membership with organizations such as the San Francisco Global Trade Council. Also active in international markets, Levon Termendzhyan leads SBK Holdings, an umbrella company with subsidiaries in the construction, real estate, and energy sectors in Turkey.

One of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Turkey has witnessed strong growth, and its energy demands have kept pace. In recent years, the country’s energy needs have grown exponentially, and Turkey has been forced to import most of its oil and natural gas. As such, the government has been seeking ways to become more energy independent.

In May 2018, Turkey took a step toward that goal when a Turkish energy company, LNG Gaz Uretim Depolama ve Satis AS, received formal permission to construct the first on-shore LNG storage and production facilities in the country’s northern and midwestern regions. The two facilities, planned for the cities of Afyonkarahisar and Corum, will provide critical security and flexibility to the country’s energy industry.

According to company representatives, the project will cost roughly $35 million and should be completed within 18 months.

Renewable Energy Driving Additional Power Generation in Turkey

A California-based oil and gas entrepreneur and investor, Levon Termendzhyan serves as an equity holder with Viscon International and regularly seeks out business opportunities in foreign markets. In 2013, Levon Termendzhyan formed the Turkish-based SBK Holdings and has since invested more than $500 million in the eight energy companies under its umbrella.

Around the world, investments in renewable energy have surpassed investments in traditional energy sources over the past few years. This is particularly true in Turkey, where in 2017 renewables accounted for almost half of the country's power generation. Overall, $5.6 billion was invested in renewable resources in 2017, which was responsible for 65 percent of the 100 megawatts (MW) of power generation capacity added to the power grid.

According to Oguz Can, Turkey's energy and natural resources ministry general director of renewable energy, the country allocated 3,000 MW in wind power in 2017 and led all of Europe in renewable energy capacity creation. Moreover, Turkey ranks among the top 10 European countries in solar and wind power capacity.

EU Decision Boosts Indonesian Biofuel Sector

For nearly four decades, Levon Termendzhyan has guided fuel delivery, storage, and distribution companies in the United States and around the world. In addition to leading Viscon International, a clean-fuel company in California, Levon Termendzhyan serves as a joint venture partner with a biofuels company based in Indonesia. 

Unlike fossil fuels, biofuels are derived from living organisms, such as corn, algae, and palm oil. As the world’s top producer of palm oil, Indonesia has emerged as one of the major providers of biofuels in Southeast Asia, and the country has planned much of its future economic program around it. Recently, European Union (EU) officials made a key decision that will provide the country’s biofuel industry with a major boost.

Since 2013, the EU has slapped additional duties on imported biofuels from Indonesian manufacturers, driving up prices on the continent and putting Indonesia at a trade disadvantage. In March of 2018, however, EU officials removed these restrictions after a decision made at the European Court of Justice. 

The elimination of the duties is expected to jump-start Indonesian imports, with some analysts suggesting that shipments could reach more than 400,000 tons in the coming year. The decision will negatively impact nearby Malaysia, whose smaller biofuel industry stands to lose its already negligible European market share.

San Francisco Global Trade Council Fosters International Ties

Under the guidance of Levon Termendzhyan, Viscon International manufactures an innovative clean energy fuel additive that received certification and verification from the California Air Resources Board and could become a candidate to assist in the state’s goal of achieving mandated emissions reductions. Active in his field, Levon Termendzhyan belongs to a range of professional organizations, including the San Francisco Global Trade Council (SFGTC). 

A respected industry group, SFGTC provides members with extended opportunities to network with fellow business leaders from Northern California and around the world. For example, the council offers members the option to attend exclusive policy and trade briefings, where they can meet and discuss ideas with government leaders and industry influencers. In addition, SFGTC conferences and lunchtime events introduce the Bay Area business community to representatives of other nations’ governments with whom they can discover common interests.

Members also gain access to the council’s trade missions, providing an opportunity to travel to meet other governments’ leaders and businesspeople who can demonstrate firsthand the industrial and commercial situations in their own countries.

Wells Fargo, UPS, Virgin America, and Chevron are among the large corporations that partner with the SFGTC for the benefit of the local and national business communities.