Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 23 / Trend, E. Ismayilov /
Romania is interested in ensuring gas from the second stage of development of the Azerbaijani offshore Shah Deniz gas condensate field to Europe, the Romanian ambassador to Azerbaijan, Daniel Cristian Ciobanu, said at a meeting of the Caspian-European Integration Business Club (CEIBC) on "Caspian-European Dialogue" with ambassadors of EU countries and the Caspian-Black Sea region to Azerbaijan.
"Currently, Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia are cooperating within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Romania Interconnector (AGRİ), which includes ensuring the supply of Azerbaijani liquefied gas through the Black Sea coast of Georgia," he said.
In April 2010, Azerbaijan, Romania and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of liquefied gas and its transportation in Bucharest.
According to the memorandum, the parties expressed their intentions regarding the development of energy transit corridor connecting the Caspian region and Europe within the Southern Corridor. The decision on gas trade and use of underground storage in Romania, as well as on analysis of opportunities to expand cooperation between the relevant agencies operating in the energy field, was made. Also, Romania's offer to create a group in Bucharest to develop a feasibility study and determine the technical, technological, financial and legal aspects of the project AGRI, was accepted.
This will be the first liquefied natural gas transfer project in the Black Sea region. The project will be important for South-Eastern Europe and contribute to the diversification of energy sources, routes and energy interests of all three countries participating in this project.
Azerbaijan's proven gas reserves exceed two trillion cubic meters; given the current levels of production, these stocks will be sufficient to meet the domestic needs of the country for 100 years.
Azerbaijan and Romania are also considering the possibility of future cooperation in the field of oil and cooperation within the Pan-European project.
During the meeting, the Greek Ambassador Ioannis Metaxas said that his country is ready to assist Azerbaijan in the field of oil transportation.