Baku, Azerbaijan, June 6
By Emil Ismayilov - Trend:
LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) stations operating under Azerbaijani State Oil Company's (SOCAR) brand will be created in Azerbaijani capital of Baku by 2015, a source in the company told Trend on June 6.
"The process for creation of LPG stations is in development, and the stations will appear in Baku by late 2015," the source said.
Speaking of SOCAR's plans regarding the number of LPG stations in Azerbaijan, the source said this will depend on the purchase of lands for constructing them.
He went on to add that about 15 LPG stations will be constructed in Baku.
Vehicles will be fuelled with compressed natural gas (CNG) at these stations, he added.
CNG is used as a fuel instead of gasoline, diesel and propane. It is cheaper than the conventional fuel, while the greenhouse effect caused by its combustion products is smaller than that of the conventional fuels, so it is safer for the environment.
CNG is produced by means of compressing the natural gas in the compressor installations. Such gas is stored in special storages under an atmospheric pressure of 200-220. Aside from that biogas is added to CNG, thus reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Under the Azerbaijani law, the state regulates wholesale prices for the liquefied petroleum gas, while the retail prices are set on a free basis.
The wholesale price for liquefied gas in Azerbaijan stands at 300 AZN per tonne, according to the Azerbaijani Tariff (Price) Council.
Previously, a senior official at SOCAR said the company already sells liquefied gas at filling stations of Georgia, and this process is cost-effective.
The use of the LPG in urban areas is also economically beneficial for the consumers. Currently, SOCAR is engaged in retail sales of oil products through its filling station in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Romania and Switzerland.
Today, there are 14 SOCAR filling stations in Azerbaijan.
The official exchange rate is 0.7843 AZN/USD as of June 6.
Edited by S.I.
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