Azerbaijan, Baku, September 15 / Trend , N.Ismayilova /
Nabucco gas pipeline project can start without Turkmenistan, EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said on September 15.
"We see Turkmenistan as one of the suppliers of Nabucco, but it does not oblige the country now to declare the intention to allocate 10-15 billion cubic meters of gas," said Piebalgs, who is on visit to Baku.
According to him, ultimately Turkmenistan can be connected to the project, but it can begin without this country.
According to Piebalgs, today the project to develop the second stage of Shah-Deniz field is considered the main resource base for the Nabucco pipeline project.
The Nabucco project worth 7.9 billion euro will deliver Azerbaijani and Central Asian gas to the EU. Nabucco shareholders are the Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turkish Botas and German RWE with 16.67 percent each. Construction of the pipeline is expected to begin in 2011 and the first supplies - in 2014. Its maximum capacity will be 31 billion cubic meters per year. An investment solution on the project will be made in the first quarter of 2010. The Nabucco Gas Pipeline International will invest 30 percent of the project on basis of its share. The remaining 70 percent will be provided by international institutions.
Piebalgs said that tariffs for all countries have not been determined yet.
"We created a scheme which will determine tariffs, but the figures must be discussed. Here there is a difference in interests. So that this process is continuing and will be resolved by the end of the year," said Piebalgs.
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