NABUCCO gas exports `to begin in 2014`
Construction of the NABUCCO pipeline to pump Caspian
gas to Europe is to begin in 2011, while delivering the first gas
shipments via the conduit is scheduled for 2014, an official of the
international NABUCCO consortium has said in Ankara.
Reinhard Mitschek, Managing Director NABUCCO Gas Pipeline International Ltd., said 8-10 billion cubic meters of gas are to be transported via the pipeline in the initial stage, with the figure to reach 30 billion cubic meters by 2019.
According to Mitschek, Azerbaijan will export 8bn cubic meters a year via NABUCCO. Another key supplier for the conduit, Turkmenistan, has pledged to supply 8-10bn cubic meters.
Mitschek emphasized that Iran possessed vast gas reserves as well, saying the NABUCCO shareholders were looking to buy gas from this country as well, however, this requires political backing.
Tehran is keen to join the project, but only on the condition that Western powers end their pressure and sanctions against the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.
Mitschek said all financial issues involved in the project would be solved by year-end. He noted that the European Commission was ready to provide support for the Western-backed project, recalling that it had allocated 250 million euros for the purpose. The allocation will fund natural gas facilities.
According to Mitschek, an inter-governmental agreement on implementing the project is due to be signed in April.
Mitschek added that the demand for natural gas will further increase in European countries and Turkey over the next 20 years, which necessitates seeking secure sources of energy.
The consortium director said the NABUCCO pipeline could not be built without Turkey`s involvement, and the consortium planned to launch construction work at the site near Ankara at Ahiboz.
The implementers of the project also approve linking the Russian-backed Blue Stream pipeline with the NABUCCO system.
The project, worth 8 billion euros, envisions supplies of Azerbaijani and Turkmen gas to energy-thirsty European markets through a 3,300-kilometer pipeline traveling through Azerbaijan and Turkey to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria.
Reinhard Mitschek, Managing Director NABUCCO Gas Pipeline International Ltd., said 8-10 billion cubic meters of gas are to be transported via the pipeline in the initial stage, with the figure to reach 30 billion cubic meters by 2019.
According to Mitschek, Azerbaijan will export 8bn cubic meters a year via NABUCCO. Another key supplier for the conduit, Turkmenistan, has pledged to supply 8-10bn cubic meters.
Mitschek emphasized that Iran possessed vast gas reserves as well, saying the NABUCCO shareholders were looking to buy gas from this country as well, however, this requires political backing.
Tehran is keen to join the project, but only on the condition that Western powers end their pressure and sanctions against the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.
Mitschek said all financial issues involved in the project would be solved by year-end. He noted that the European Commission was ready to provide support for the Western-backed project, recalling that it had allocated 250 million euros for the purpose. The allocation will fund natural gas facilities.
According to Mitschek, an inter-governmental agreement on implementing the project is due to be signed in April.
Mitschek added that the demand for natural gas will further increase in European countries and Turkey over the next 20 years, which necessitates seeking secure sources of energy.
The consortium director said the NABUCCO pipeline could not be built without Turkey`s involvement, and the consortium planned to launch construction work at the site near Ankara at Ahiboz.
The implementers of the project also approve linking the Russian-backed Blue Stream pipeline with the NABUCCO system.
The project, worth 8 billion euros, envisions supplies of Azerbaijani and Turkmen gas to energy-thirsty European markets through a 3,300-kilometer pipeline traveling through Azerbaijan and Turkey to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Austria.
Here we are to serve you with news right now. It does not cost much, but worth your attention.
Choose to support open, independent, quality journalism and subscribe on a monthly basis.
By subscribing to our online newspaper, you can have full digital access to all news, analysis, and much more.
Subscribe
You can also follow AzerNEWS on Twitter @AzerNewsAz or Facebook @AzerNewsNewspaper
Thank you!