Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 13 / Trend A.Taghiyeva, E.Ismayilov /
A new partner may join Trans-Anatolian pipeline (TANAP), Zaman newspaper quoted head of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) Rovnag Abdullayev as telling reporters in Istanbul on Monday.
He said SOCAR, Botas and TPAO participate in the project, the Azerbaijani side owns an 80-per cent stake in the project.
SOCAR head supported the idea that other international companies participating in the development of the Shah Deniz Azerbaijani gas condensate and engaged in gas production in the region should join the project.
Mr Abdullayev also expressed confidence that there will be no problems with financing of the project.
"Oil Fund of Azerbaijan has resources exceeding $30 billion. In case of need it will be possible to use these reserves," he said.
Construction of TANAP gas pipeline is necessary for export of most of 50 billion cubic meters of gas Azerbaijan plans to produce by 2015.
The parties involved in the project intend to resolve issues on this gas pipeline this year and plans to commence construction immediately will see completion by late 2017.
This gas pipeline will become a base of the Southern Gas Corridor which includes Nabucco, TAP and ITGI gas pipelines. Decision on the preferable route of transportation is expected to be made before the end of the first quarter of 2012.