Azerbaijan, Baku, May 21 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
The Working Group, which includes SOCAR and Bulgargas, is working on the preparation of a feasibility study on the supply of compressed Azerbaijani gas (CNG) in Bulgaria, Minister of Industry and Energy Natiq Aliyev said.
"A working group is composed of two companies - Bulgargas and our SOCAR, which are working to prepare a feasibility study", Aliyev said.
The Joint Working Group was established on the basis of a memorandum signed last November between SOCAR and Bulgartransgas.
The variant of export through the Black Sea coast of Georgia, where SOCAR's oil terminal in Kulevi is located, is being considered within possible supplies of Azerbaijani gas. In this case, the option of building a terminal for processing of Azerbaijani gas is being considered.
Gas field Shah Deniz field in Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea is considered as the main source of gas for Azerbaijan's participation in export operations. This year it is planned to produce 7.6 billion cubic meters of gas from Shakh Deniz field.
The contract to develop the offshore field "Shah Deniz" (total reserves of 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas) was signed June 4, 1996. Members of the agreement are: BP (operator) - 25,5 percent, Statoil - 25,5 percent, NICO - 10 percent, Total - 10 percent, Lukoil - 10 percent, TPAO-9 percent, SOCAR - 10 percent. Now gas is transported to Georgia and Turkey via South Caucasus gas pipeline, as well as purchased by Azerbaijan.