Oil and gas (January-September 2010)

1. FEC

а) Oil and gas production

Azerbaijan produced 38.5 million tons of crude oil and condensate in January-September, or 1.9 percent more than oil and condensate production for January-September 2009, the Azerbaijan State Statistics Committee said.

The main volume of oil production in January-September fell to the Azerbaijan International Operating Company. It produced 32.2 million tons of oil and condensate at the block of offshore fields Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and gas condensate field Shah Deniz, or 2.5 percent more than the same period of last year.

Gas production amounted to about 20 billion cubic meters in Azerbaijan in January-September, or 14.4 percent more than the same period of last year. About 7.8 billion cubic meters of gas fell to the fields "Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli" (associated gas) and Shah Deniz field had, or 5.2 percent more than in January-September 2009.

b) Refinery

About 4.7 million tons of oil products were produced in January-September in Azerbaijan compared to 4.55 million tons in January-September 2009, SOCAR said.

In January-September, the largest volume of production fell to diesel fuel - over 1.8 million tons compared to about 1.65 million tons in September last year.

Azerbaijan has two oil refineries with total capacity of 20 million tons a year compared.

Oil production in Azerbaijan in January- September (thousands tons):

v) Realization

About 2.8 million tons of oil products were delivered to the domestic market of Azerbaijan in January-September, compared to more than 2.77 million tons in January-August last year, the State Statistics Committee said.

Over 774.400 tons of oil products fell to motor petrol. The wholesale cost of 1 ton of A-92 petrol (including delivery and VAT) is 670 manat, A-95 - 736 manat on the domestic market of Azerbaijan. According to the State Statistics Committee, Azpetrol received 360.100 tons of petrol, LUKoil - approximately 119.260 tons, SOCAR Petroleum - 152.500 tons of petrol in January-September.

Over 655,100 tons of diesel fuel was sold in January-September on the domestic market, or 15.8 percent more than in January-September last year. The wholesale cost of 1 ton of diesel fuel (including delivery and VAT) is 485 manat on the domestic market of Azerbaijan. According to the State Statistics Committee, Azpetrol received about 159,200 tons of diesel fuel, LUKoil - about 72,100 tons. The Caspian Shipping Company bought 17,030 tons of diesel fuel. About 97,610 tons of diesel fuel during this period was delivered to SOCAR Petroleum.

Azpetrol has 70 filling stations in Azerbaijan, of which 66 - petrol, 4 - gas stations. An oil tank farm with total capacity of 7,000 tons and car park, meeting international standards was commissioned in 1999 to improve fuel quality, ensure uninterrupted operation of filling stations and improve the quality of customer service. Currently, Azpetrol fleet consists of 110 fuel tankers with capacities ranging from 17 to 42 tons, which provide the company's filling stations with fuel. Azpetrol owns approximately 15 percent of the total number of filling stations in the country. The company's share in the relevant market sector is more than 50 percent.

About 194.700 tons were sold on the domestic market in Jan.-Sept., or 20 percent less than the same period of last year. The wholesale price for 1 ton of fuel oil M-40 (including delivery and VAT) is 100 manat on the domestic market of Azerbaijan.

About 357.600 tons of aviation kerosene were sold, or 29.5 percent more than in January-September 2009. The wholesale cost of 1 ton of aviation kerosene (including delivery and VAT) is 307 manat on the domestic market of Azerbaijan.

About 162.700 tons of bitumen were sold on the domestic market in January-August, or 5.1 percent less than the same period of last year. The wholesale cost of 1 ton of bitumen "BN 60/90" (including delivery and VAT) is 160 manat on the domestic market of Azerbaijan.

About 58.500 tons of liquefied gas (LPG) were sold in January-September on the domestic market, or 15.5 percent less than in January-September 2009.

About 589.400 tons of other types of oil products were sold on the domestic market, or 17.8 percent less than in January-September last year.

2. Chemical complex

SOCAR's Azerkimya PU (production of chemical products) produced 10.6 million cubic meters of nitrogen in January-September. It is 18.1 percent more than the same period of 2009, the Azerbaijani State Statistics Committee.

There was considerable growth for all the main types of chemical products produced by PU in January-September. Decrease was observed only in the production of sulfuric acid and propylene.

Production of basic chemical products during January-September:

Along with increased production of chemical raw materials, production of plastics and rubber also increased. Thus, about 3,800 tons of solid polyethylene pipes, tubes, hoses were produced in January-September. It is 2.1 times more compared to the same period of last year. About 187 tons of porous polyurethane plates and strips were produced in the republic. It is 36.5 percent less than the same period of last year. A significant growth is also observed in the production of polymer coatings. About 209.3 tons of this type of product was produced in January-September. It is 3.1 percent less than the same period of last year.

3. Electricity

Azerbaijan generated approximately 13.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in January-September, or 2.8 percent less than the same period of last year.