The Turkish state pipeline company Botas may postpone the bidding deadline for gas contracts for a fifth time, but will not cancel the $4 billion plan despite a new law, an energy official said.

Botas opened a tender in the first week of November 2004 which aimed for the transfer of a portion of the gas bought from Russia, Iran, Nigeria and Algeria under contracts which expire between 2012 and 2026.
Under a new law passed by the parliament in June, the companies need the consent of the gas supplier countries for the transfer of contracts. Some said this law would cause the cancellation of the contract transfer plan.
Energy officials said last year the transfer of gas contracts was unrealistic because the countries which sell gas to Turkey are opposed to such a move.
The company has postponed the bidding deadline four times since it first opened the tender process, and the current deadline is September 27.
A legal change in the tender conditions require pre-qualification for the bidders, and companies should be given time for this, an official said.