Ukraine, Kiev, October 12 / Trend Z. Novosvitsky /
SOCAR's (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) representative office will be solemnly opened in Kiev on October 12.
Trend Interviews head of SOCAR's representative office in Ukraine Elchin Mammadov in Kiev
Trend : What is the main task of SOCAR in Ukraine?
Elchin Mammadov: SOCAR's main task in Ukraine is to develop cooperation in energy between two countries, study Ukrainian oil and gas market, legislative base of Ukraine, identify investment opportunities and cooperate with public and private companies in this country.
Q.: Is marketing research of Ukrainian oil and oil products market held? Is the possibility of SOCAR's participation in the Ukrainian oil products retail market considered?
A.: We conduct market research and results of this research demonstrate that there is favorable environment for investments in oil and gas sector in Ukraine. Strategic location of Ukraine and neighborhood with EU countries greatly increase importance of this country. Certainly, we also consider the possibility to participate in oil products retail market.
Q.: The Kremenchug refinery purchased two batches of Azerbaijani oil to the amount of 160,000 tons in September. Are the talks on regular provision of this refinery with Azerbaijani oil held? Is there a possibility of Azerbaijani oil supplies to other refineries in Ukraine?
A.: Negotiations are being held on this issue, including the possibility of supplies to other refineries. I would like to stress that the Kremenchug refinery bought more Azerbaijani oil and total volumes of purchase hit 240,000 tons of oil.
Q.: What stage does realization of Eurasian oil transportation system's project, part of which is Odessa-Brody-Gdansk-Plotsk, have? Does the representation participate in work within this project?
A.: The project Odessa-Brody-Gdansk-Plotsk is sure to have serious prospects. We make every efforts for Azerbaijani oil to be transported to Europe through the territory of a friendly country. But agree that all this efforts require much time. Azerbaijani and Ukrainian Presidents signed the communique on cooperation in energy resources supply from the Caspian region to Europe at the summit on May 11, 2007. We continue to work in this direction.
Q.: SOCAR has considered construction or joint use of oil refineries in Ukraine. Which variant the company considers as the best one?
A.: We still consider these projects, study them. It is too early to talk about something concrete.