Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 14 /Trend, E.Ismayilov/
SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) has launched in Telavi (Kakheti region of Georgia) a branch of SOCAR Georgia Gas, a subsidiary of SOCAR Energy Georgia (represents the interests of SOCAR in Georgia), said a source in SOCAR Energy Georgia.
"We have already opened a branch of SOCAR Georgia Gas in Telavi," said the source.
Azerbaijan and Georgia signed an agreement in November 2008 to create the possibility of intensifying SOCAR's activity on the Georgian gas market over the five years after 2009. According to the memorandum, SOCAR created the subsidiary SOCAR Georgia Gas to realize the project. It provides some groups consumer gas (social groups) determined by the Georgian government.
SOCAR and the Georgian government signed an agreement to transfer 30 gas distribution networks covering different regions in Georgia in late December 2008.
SOCAR acquired a gas distribution network in the Marneuli region populated by Azerbaijani community. Marneuli has 31 gas supply grids operated by SOCAR Georgia.
Within three-year investment program (2009-2011), SOCAR Georgia Gas plans to connect 150,000 subscribers to the gas system in Georgia. The works envisage rehabilitation of existing distribution networks and building new ones.