The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil and gas pipeline is a 1,768 km long crude oil pipeline stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It is the second longest oil pipeline in the world and passes through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye. IFC has invested $250 million since 2003 and the total project cost is approximately $3.6 billion. The project is operated by BTC Co., which comprises a consortium of 11 partners. To date, CAO has received 33 complaints in relation to the project ranging from individuals to communities to local organizations. On July 6, 2006, CAO received a complaint from an NGO named Society for the Protection of the Environment and Consumer, filed on behalf of Central Fishery Products Cooperative. The complaint alleged that the terminus of the BTC pipeline resulted in a loss to local fishermen of their fishing areas and fish stocks. They requested compensation for existing and predicted financial losses.

In an assessment of the parties willingness to work together to reach an agreement, the CAO encouraged a meeting between BTC Co’s social and environmental specialist, the NGO, and the fishermen to discuss the pertinent issues. In September and December 2006, meetings between BTC Co. and the NGO were reportedly held.