Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug. 13 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
SOCAR (a state oil company of Azerbaijan) plans to pump 1.8 - 1.9 billion cubic meters of gas into Azerbaijani underground storage for use in the autumn-winter period of 2009-2010, Head of SOCAR, Rovnag Abdullayev, said.
"I believe 1.8 - 1.9 billion cubic meters of gas will be uploaded into the storage in time and this will complete the first phase of project on gas expansion, Abdullayev said.
The company planned to conclude work on the construction of new compressor stations and pipelines and refurbishment of wells in 2010.
At present, SOCAR conducts work, including repair of wells, renewal of infrastructure and construction of new pipelines under the first phase to increase the active capacity of gas storages Garadagh (with 500 million cu. m active capacity) and Kalmaz (with 1.1-1.2 million cu. m active capacity).
The company has launched the construction of a new gas pipeline with the length 47 kilometers running in the direction of the gas storages Kalmaz and Garadagh, Abdullayev said.
According to Abdullayev, it will be possible to pump 3 billion cubic meters of gas into underground storage facilities in Azerbaijan soon, but on the promising third phase this number could be raised to 5 billion cubic meters.
This will enable to improve gas supply to Azerbaijani domestic market and expand significantly the country's export opportunities, Abdullayev said.
Do you have any feedback? Contact our journalist at [email protected]