This thesis aims to analyze the Turkish policy of being an energy hub. Within this context Turkey, as it is geographically very close to the two thirds of the world&#039 / s proven oil and natural gas reserves, has a very big advantage to manage its location and the purpose of this study is to discuss the measures taken to utilize this advantage. Therefore relative weakness of Turkey in comparison to the other actors like Russia, the USA or the EU and the strengths of the Turkish policy like the geopolitical advantage, the ethnic link between Turkey and the newly independent states of the Caspian and the already existing infrastructure for the transportation of oil and natural gas like Kirkuk-Yumurtalik Pipeline, Baku Tblisi Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, Ceyhan Terminal, and Baku Tblisi Erzurum Natural Gas Pipeline are discussed. With this respect, this study argues that, as a result of the existing and planned projects, Ceyhan&#039 / s claim to become a hub is a realistic objective and in addition to BTC and Kirkuk-Yumurtalik Pipeline, the realization of Samsun-Ceyhan Pipeline will increase Ceyhan&#039 / s potential as an energy hub.

The routing of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline plays an important role in the future energy security of the European Union. The natural gas pipeline is planned to run from the natural gas fields in the Caspian Sea through Turkey. This project is a case study for a Geographic Information System (GIS) least-cost route analysis of a section of the proposed pipeline in Western Turkey. The route analysis comprised of weighting multiple types of criteria in a compiled risk assessment map that was analyzed by a least-cost algorithm to display the least hazardous route through the study area. Multiple varieties of criteria were considered such as, lithology, slope of terrain, environmental and social risk factors, e.g. proximity to natural reserves and urban centers, to provide the least hazardous route through the region. The derived least cost paths were more efficient than the proposed route in the relative cost associated with each route.