Details added. First version posted on 19:41
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 12
By Aygun Badalova - Trend:
The Southern Gas Corridor is important project both for Europe and Azerbaijan, Amos Hochstein, special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs of the bureau of energy resources at the US State Department told reporters on Feb. 12 in Baku.
He said that the US fully supports this project, in particular, highlighting its importance from the view that it will provide diversification of energy supplies for the Southeast Europe.
Hochstein also said that Azerbaijani gas could also be transported to such countries as Romania and Serbia, through the construction of the interconnector between Bulgaria and these countries.
With regard to the possibility of Iran's joining the project, Hochstein said that the existing sanctions against Islamic Republic hinder its participation in such projects.
The Southern Gas Corridor project envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region through Georgia and Turkey to Europe. This large project aims at diversifying the routes and sources of energy supply that will enhance energy security of Europe.
At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the second phase of development of Azerbaijani gas condensate Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. At a later stage, other sources may join the project.
The gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of the field's development will be exported to Turkey and to the European markets by means of expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and construction of the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).