Sergey Kupriyanov, an official of Gasprom, the major Russian gas company, informed PRIME-TASS of its plans to reduce the gas delivery to Azerbaijan to 1.5bln cu.m in 2007, Trendreports.
Azerbaijan is planning to set up its own export delivery of gas. Whilst Gasprom is not against rivalry, it is inexpedient to reserve it at the expense of the Russian company resources, he stated.
Kupriyanov said that taking into consideration the rise in Russian gas prices and the considerable increase of production in the country, this volume will fully cover Azerbaijan's demand of imported gas.
Earlier PRIME-TASS reported Azerbaijan's intention not to refuse the purchase of Russian gas in the forthcoming years. "The import of Russian gas will continue. However, Azerbaijan should consider the volume of imported gas should the gas prices be suitable, Alikhan Malikov, the Chairman of Azerigas company stated.
Azerbaijan acquires 4.5bln cu.m of gas from Russia a year. From January gas prices have increased from $60 to $110 per 1,000 cu.m.