SOCAR chief: Azerbaijan's role in Europe’s energy security to increase
Implementation of the second phase of development of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas condensate field, as well as other fields will enhance Azerbaijan's role in the energy security spectrum of Europe, head of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovnag Abdullayev said in an interview to The Business Year magazine.
Abdullayev also called new Umid and Absheron fields along with the second phase of development of the Shah Deniz field.
According to Abdullayev, today, the country has fully ensured its energy security for many years to come and is playing a significant role in the energy security of the region. Azerbaijan already exports natural gas to Georgia, Turkey, and Russia. Azerbaijan extensively supports the implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor strategy initiated by the EU.
"We are currently reviewing several options for exporting Azerbaijani gas to EU countries on the basis of long-term agreements, including the proposed Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Nabucco-West gas pipeline projects," Abdullayev said.
SOCAR head expressed his confidence that the successful implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor strategy will elevate relations between Azerbaijan and the EU, thus contributing to the energy security of Europe.
The Southern Gas Corridor is a major energy project for the EU. It is intended to diversify routes and sources of supply. It is aimed at ensuring EU energy security. Gas which will be produced during the second stage of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development is considered as the main source for the Souther Gas Corridor projects.
Currently, the Shah Deniz consortium considers two options to deliver its gas to Europe - Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Nabucco West. The final decision on a pipeline route will be made in 2013.