Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The first annual Frankfurt Gas Forum (FGF) will be held on Wednesday, November 28 in Frankfurt.

For the first time in the city of Frankfurt, such a forum is taking place, at a most critical time for major decisions for the Southern Gas Corridor.

The forum aims to address the most important issue on the Southern Gas Corridor, the strengthening of the European energy security and to promote gas infrastructure investments.

This year's focus will be on the Southern Gas Corridor, the Shah Deniz giant gas field in Azerbaijan and the strengthening of the European energy security.

The 2012 Forum will bring world gas business leaders from countries such as Azerbaijan and German financial and energy CEOs together with public policy decision makers in order to facilitate financial agreements in gas infrastructure.

Keynote speaker is EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger. The EU commissioner is implementing an effective energy policy for Europe by diversifying the routes and resources of natural gas. Key to the EU energy policy is Shah Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea.

The Shah Deniz consortium of Azerbaijan will choose between Nabucco West pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) next year, which pipeline project will carry Caspian gas into Europe.

The Frankfurt Gas Forum will also promote investments in view of the growing natural gas demand in Europe and the increasing need for gas infrastructure projects. The required investments in natural gas infrastructure are in excess of €40 billion.

Senior decision makers are participating in the forum to present their plans and explore ways of co-operation with the German financial industry. The focus will be on investments in the Southern Gas Corridor, the Shah Deniz gas field and the strengthening of the European energy security.

Speakers at the forum include Roland Kobia, EU Ambassador in Azerbaijan, Elshad Nasirov, Vice President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Reinhard Mitschek, Managing Director of Nabucco Gas Pipeline International, Kjetil Tungland, Managing Director of Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Philippe Hochart, Vice President for Caspian region of GDF SUEZ, France, and others.

The 2012 Forum will bring together European Union officials, financial and industry analysts, energy experts and international investment and financial institutions in order to facilitate agreements in gas infrastructure.

The forum lead sponsor is SOCAR, sponsors are TAP and Greece's DEPA.