Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 27 /Trend A. Akhundov/
Ukraine, Bulgaria and a number of other countries are interested in AGRI project (Azerbaijan Georgia Romania Interconnector), which is designed to transport liquefied gas from Caspian Sea region to Europe. This was said by Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy Natig Abbasov at international conference Construction of bridges on Thursday
"We receive proposals on construction of LNG terminals apart from the project. We could consider this proposals after fulfilling our responsibilities on the project", Abbasov said.
In his words, the work on preparation of technical economic base within AGRI is close to completion.
"The project is going to be realized step by step. Supply of 2 billion cubic meters is planned on the first stage, 5 billions- on the second stage, 8 billions- on the third", the Deputy Minister stated.
He also stressed that Azerbaijan has a positive attitude towards the transport of Turkmen gas to Europe via Azerbaijan.
"Some 8-9 meetings have been held on this issue, we have always openly expressed our position", Abbasov said.
In his words, Azerbaijan is ready to provide its area and technical assistance.
AGRI (Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector) is currently at the stage of a feasibility study development, so the estimated amount of investment that will be needed to implement it, is not yet determined.
Feasibility study will be ready in fall, presumably in September, after which the economically reasonable place for construction of a terminal for liquefied natural gas on the Black Sea coast of Georgia will be determined. Based on this document, the amount of investment required for the implementation of the planned activities on the territory of Georgia will be determined.
A feasibility study of the project is being prepared by a British engineering company Penspen, which was determined on the basis of the tender.
At this stage, the project participants are four states - Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary. In February 2011, the parties established a joint venture for the project - SC AGRI LNG Project Company SRL. The Georgian side is represented by the Oil and Gas Corporation