SOCAR Georgia Gas injects $147 mln in Georgian gas distribution sector
By Nazrin Gadimova
Georgian Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze together with representatives of Azerbaijani company SOCAR Georgia Gas familiarized himself with the process of gas supply to the Chagani village of Samtredia region in Imereti, western Georgia, on July 29.
SOCAR Georgia Gas, a subsidiary of SOCAR Energy Georgia that distributes gas in the Georgian market, is carrying out gasification of several villages on the right bank of the Rioni river in Georgia.
According to the Georgian Ministry of Energy, it is planned to construct a 100-kilometer gas pipeline which will connect 4,500 potential customers to the network. The work will be completed by the end of the year.
According to a joint plan developed by the Georgian ministry and SOCAR Georgia Gas, over 86,000 Georgian families will be provided with gas by the end of 2014.
SOCAR Georgia Gas has already met the needs of about 166,000 new customers.
On December 26, 2008, SOCAR and the Georgian government signed an agreement on transferring the management of 30 gas distribution networks in the regions of Georgia including Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Shida and Kvemo Kartli, Adjara, Guria, Imereti, and Samegrelo. Then the coverage was expanded with the gas supply grids. All of these facilities were previously abolished, and seven regional gas facilities under the management of SOCAR were established on their basis.
Currently, 19 functional services are active under SOCAR Georgia Gas. In addition, the company has founded 6 distribution enterprises in a number of Georgian regions.
According to the agreement signed with Georgia, SOCAR Georgia Gas is to provide with gas at least 150,000 new customers and to invest at least $40 million in the gas supply process of the country. However, it appears that investments will considerably exceed this amount.
According to SOCAR Georgia Gas, during the ongoing works the company has already invested about $147 million. 2,300 km of gas lines have been built.
In accordance with the three-year program adopted by SOCAR Georgia Gas, 880 km-long new gas pipelines were built during 2009 and 2010, and 86,000 new users were provided with natural gas.