Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 19 / Trend /
The EU does not rule out using Iranian gas to fill the Nabucco pipeline, European Commission Energy Spokesman Ferran Tarradellas Espuny said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper.
"Of course, we do not rule out such a possibility as Iran possesses the second largest proven gas reserves in the world," Espuny said. The EU is conducting active diplomatic talks with Tehran, he added. If the nuclear program issue is resolved, gas cooperation will be possible, he said.
A major issue for the Nabucco project is Turkey's desire to be both a transit country and gas seller, Espuny said. The EU expects that Ankara will honor its commitments to secure energy transit, he added.
There is a lot of gas in the region which will be a resource base for Nabucco, Espuny said.
"Azerbaijan is ready to participate in the project. The country has gas which is delivered to the EU via the Baku-Erzurum pipeline. Recent geological research showed that gas reserves in Turkmenistan are much larger than expected," he added.
The Nabucco project worth 7.9 billion euro will deliver Azerbaijani and Central Asian gas to the EU. Its maximum capacity will be 31 billion cubic meters per year. Nabucco shareholders are the Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turkish Botas and German RWE with 16.7 percent each. Construction of the pipeline is expected to commence in 2011. First gas supplies will be delivered in 2014.
Espuny said the recent gas war between Russia and Ukraine showed that the EU's security is at risk due to energy dependency. The EU intends to strengthen the integration of its energy systems and pursue a common energy policy.
"And, of course, the EU will work to ensure energy supply security to Europe and diversify supply routes and sources," Espuny said.