Azerbaijan, Baku /corr. Trend S.Aliyev / The Head of Bakgaz Production Unit (which manages gas distribution system in Baku), Tahir Aliyev, said on 28 September at the press conference that for the first time, the gas cut in the gas distribution network of Baku has been decreased by almost five times up to 2-2.5% from 10%.
The decrease in the cut during ten gas transportation was achieved as a result of the reconstruction of the transporting infrastructure. Nearly 2.5 cu.m of gas is supplied to Baku per day.
One of the large-scale infrastructure projects of Bakgaz is the gas supply described in 2006-2007 State Programs on Strengthening Social-Economic Development of Baku City's Villages. It will be completed in the first half of the next year, Aliyev said.
Bakgaz started to work within this program in August 2007. Measures are envisaged to be taken over 110 gas facilities in Baku villages. Currently the construction of 79 gas facilities has been completed (55 of them are already operational and 24 will be operational the October 5th).
All necessary equipment has been purchased for 31 facilities, the contractors have been defined and work will begin. The work will be completed by the end of the first quarter of the 2008.
The delays with the completion of the program are justified through the additional works and changes in several technical parameters in several facilities. For the first time, Bakgaz began using polyethylene pipes.
"Unlike metal pipes, they are more long-lived and provide an opportunity to keep more pressure [from 12 atmosphere]," Aliyev said.
Of the total the projects, 44 will be realized through the State budget and 66 at the expense of Bakgaz. AZN 27mln will be allocated from the State budget for this issue. Aliyev did not mention the amount which will be allocated by Bakgaz saying that the finances will be allocated through the profits from the activity of the enterprise.