Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr.13 / Trend, E. Ismailov /
Today Azerbaijan, Georgia and Romania signed a memorandum on cooperation in gas sphere in Bucharest, SOCAR Representation in Romania said today.
According to representation, the document was signed by Minister of Industry and Energy Natik Aliyev, Minister of Economy, Commerce and Business Environment of Romania Adriean Videanu and Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri.
The project envisages construction of two terminals for liquefied natural gas - one in Georgia, another in Romania. According to preliminary data, the project cost will amount to 4-6 billion euros.
Memorandum on the implementation of this project was signed between Georgia and Romania in October 2009, as well as between Romania and Azerbaijan earlier this year. It envisaged establishing a working group to sign a memorandum.
Today, the construction of the terminal processing Azerbaijani gas at Georgia's Black Sea coast (SOCAR owns the oil terminal in Kulevi) and its transport by the ships to Romania or Bulgaria for further shipment via domestic gas pipeline network of Europe are being discussed. The project is considered in two directions - LNG and CNG. The first one is the construction of gas liquefaction plant, and the second - delivery of gas directly to the ship for its compression. It deals with about 7-20 billion cubic meters of gas.
SOCAR head Rovnag Abdullayev said that there are intentions to prepare a feasibility study of the gas export project from the Black Sea coast of Georgia. "Preparation of feasibility study will allow us to identify the most advantageous option [gas exports via the Black Sea]. We have several options, including the export of LNG and CNG. There are also possibilities for transit through Turkey. The variety of these options will allow us to choose the right path," he said.
Abdullayev said that Romania and Bulgaria are interested in a project of gas export via the Black Sea. Talks are held with both parties now.