Р'Р Azerbaijan, an operator of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline construction project, is considering opportunities for expansion of the discharge capacity of the pipeline, Trend reports quoting David Woodward, the President of BP Azerbaijan. It is necessary to pump the Kazakh oil.
With the use of chemical reagents the discharge capacity of the pipeline, which at p resent is 1 million barrels a day, can be increased by 300,000-400,000 barrels. Upon the work in the pump stations the capacity can be increased 400,000 barrels more.
However, the production from Kashagan field will start not earlier than 2009-2010. At present the companies participating in the project and holding stake in BTC should hold talks with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, after which a transit agreement will be signed.
The agreement is intended to define the route and method of oil transportation via the Caspian Sea, as well as necessity for construction of additional infrastructure. After the conclusion of an agreement, the establishment of the relevant infrastructure will take 3-4 years to complete.