Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 8
By Emil Ismayilov - Trend:
The British company 'BP', which is the technical operator for development of Azerbaijani 'Shah Deniz' gas and condensate field, is gradually increasing the volume of gas exports via the South Caucasus Pipeline, the company told Trend on February 8.
The gas export volume dropped as a result of the problems, which occurred at the Sangachal terminal in afternoon on February 7, the BP said.
The company added that, yesterday technical problems at the terminal affected gas exports, which resulted in a decrease in volumes.
"Currently, the exports are rising, and soon they will be brought to the required level," the company said.
The length of the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum pipeline (South Caucasus Pipeline) is more than 700 kilometres. The gas, which is produced at the Shah Deniz gas and condensate field in Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, is transported via the pipeline from the Sangachal terminal. The gas is supplied to Georgia and Turkey. Azerbaijan also purchases the gas.
The participants of the South Caucasus Pipeline include (new share distribution after the sale and purchase transactions): BP (operator) - 28.8 percent, Statoil - 15.5 percent, NICO - 10 percent, Total - 10 percent, Lukoil - 10 percent, TPAO - nine percent, SOCAR - 16.7 percent.
In 2013 the South Caucasus Pipeline transported 4.7 billion cubic meters of gas, compared to four billion cubic meters in 2012, according to Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee.
The second phase of development of the Shah Deniz field envisages expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline. The project on expansion of the pipeline in Azerbaijan includes the construction of an additional pipeline with a 48 inch of thickness. The expansion of the pipeline in Georgia will be provided through the construction of two powerful compressor stations.
Currently, the real capacity of the South Caucasus Pipeline exceeds eight billion cubic meters per year. Following the expansion the pipeline will be able to transport an additional 16 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
Translated by E.A.