Azerbaijan, Baku, April 19 / Trend A. Badalova /
Azerbaijan is a leading partner in the South Gas Corridor, Roland Kobia, the head of the EU representative office in Azerbaijan, said at the Fifth Caspian Oil and Gas Trading and Transportation Conference in Baku.
He added that Azerbaijani gas is not limited by the volumes produced within the second phase of the Shah Deniz Field. Other fields have a considerable amount of gas, he said.
"We expect large volumes of gas from Azerbaijan," he said.
Kobia said there is significant potential for gas production growth in the Caspian region.
The EU's gas needs are growing every year.
Europe has long passed its peak oil and gas production, he said.
"Over time, Europe's dependence on imports will increase significantly," he said.
Today, the EU's main gas suppliers are Russia, Norway and North Africa.
He said Russia also remains a strategic EU partner in energy supplies.
"Russia is the most important supplier for Europe," he said. "We hope it will remain so in the future."
He said Europe greatly needs gas.
"Ultimately, We think all gas route options will be needed," Kobia said.
He stressed that fuel may also be shipped to Europe. However, transporting gas through Turkey is the strategic option for the EU.
He called the signing of a transit agreement between Azerbaijan and Turkey important.
Kobia urged the parties involved not to allow the negotiations to lose their pace.
The South Corridor is a priority EU energy project diversifying energy supply routes and sources and increasing EU energy security. The Southern Corridor includes the Nabucco gas pipeline, Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), White Stream, and ITGI (Turkey-Greece-Italy pipeline).
The conference is organized by Confidence Energy and the State Oil Academy.
The Trend Agency is providing media support.