If the Russian Gasprom JSC increases sharply the price of the natural gas delivered to Azerbaijan, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) doubts whether it will continue purchase of fuel from this company, NAtik Aliyev, the President of the SOCAR told journalists. At present Gasexport Ltd, a daughter company of Gasprom, delivers to Azerbaijan gas at $60 per 1000 cu m.
“We do not have official notification in this respect. I hope to stand far from any surprise. I don’t believe in sharp rise of gas prices for CIS countries.
If so, I’m afraid, Azerbaijan would hardly agree to purchase at high prices,” Aliyev underlined.
In January to August 2005 Gasexport delivered to Azerbaijan 3,246 billion cu m of natural gas against 3,002 billion cu m in 2004. In August Gasexport supplied to Azerbaijan 296 million cu m of natural gas, or 54.6 million cu m less than export implemented in July.
This year the SOCAR plans to purchase some 6 billion cu m of gas from Gasexport.
The natural gas is transported via the Shirvanovka-Gazimahommad pipeline.