SOCAR builds new gas pipeline in Georgia
By Nazrin Gadimova
SOCAR built a new gas pipeline in eastern Georgia that was inaugurated in the Khashuri district, the Georgian Energy Ministry reported on October 31.
The pipeline built by Azerbaijan's state energy company was inaugurated by Georgia's Energy Minister Kakha Kaladze and the representatives of the SOCAR Georgia Company in Tashiskari village.
SOCAR Georgia Gas completed the construction of the pipeline in two phases.
The company built a medium pressure gas pipeline with the length of 37.5 kilometers, as a result of which about 1,460 families living in the two villages were able to tap into the gas network before winter.
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.
SOCAR Georgia Gas, a subsidiary of SOCAR Energy Georgia, was established in June, 2007 at the internal market of Georgia's natural gas.
According to the above mentioned agreement signed with Georgia, SOCAR Georgia Gas is to provide gas for at least 150,000 new customers, and to
SOCAR also intends to open six or seven gas stations in Georgia under its own name by the end of this year.
According to the sources, there are currently about 110 gas stations in Georgia under SOCAR's brand, and their numbers will increase to 116-117 by invest at least $40 million in the gas supply of the country.the end of the year.