European Commission grants exemptions from EU legislation for TAP and Nabucco West
The European Commission adopted a formal decision granting the exemptions from the EU legislation for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Nabucco West projects, the EU Delegation to Azerbaijan said. This decision appears as an extension of the existing exemption (on the third party access and tariff regulation) earlier granted.
According to the Head of the Delegation of the EU to Azerbaijan, Ambassador Roland Kobia, these decisions form another milestone in completing the Southern Gas Corridor, and show the commitment and seriousness of the EU to concretely work with Azerbaijan in realising our common projects of mutual interest.
SOCAR to continue oil transit through Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline if economically feasible
SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) will continue the transit of oil through the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline if it is economically feasible, the head of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev said.
The head of the State Oil Company said deliveries will be made in accordance with the existing agreement by the end of this year. Also, the parties will hold a series of meetings and negotiations on commercial terms to transport Azerbaijani oil via the Baku-Novorossiysk pipeline.
In particular, Abdullayev said the sides will focus on the issues of an oil quality bank in the port of Novorossiysk, the ability to transport oil to third countries through it and the possibility of reversal.
SOCAR will continue the supplies if it is economically feasible. This is a commercial decision and the matter has moved from the political perspective to the economic. The State Oil Company understands the decision of the Russian side," Abdullayev said.
SOCAR conducts seismic surveys in north-west Azerbaijan
SOCAR's Geophysics and Geology Department has begun two-dimensional seismic surveys onshore within a contract signed with Conoco Phillips Exploration Azerbaijan Ltd, the department's statement said.
According to the report, the surveys will be conducted along the 950 kilometre profiles over the south-western slopes of the Greater Caucasus.
Uzbekistan to propose six hydrocarbon investment blocks for foreign investment
In 2013-2014, Uzbekistan intends to propose six investment blocks with promising hydrocarbon reserves for foreign investors to conduct exploration operations at, Uzbekneftegaz National Holding Company said at "Oil & Gas Uzbekistan 2013" international exhibition in Tashkent.
The list includes three blocks in the Bukhara-Khiva region, two blocks in Middle Syrdarya region and one block in the Fergana region with total probable reserves of hydrocarbons of about 500 billion cubic meters of natural gas and 70 million tons of liquid hydrocarbons.
British Tethys Petroleum to conduct exploration in north-eastern Uzbekistan
The National Holding Company (NHC) Uzbekneftegaz and British Tethys Petroleum Limited have signed a letter of intent to conduct exploration work on the Baiterek investment block in northern Ustiurt in Uzbekistan, Tethys reported in its press-release.
According to a press release, Tethys in collaboration with the Institute of Geology and Exploration of Oil and Gas fields under NHC Uzbekneftegaz has developed an exploration programme for the investment unit. The programme must be approved by the government of Uzbekistan.
Iran installs South Pars gas field's biggest platform
Iran installed the largest platform of the South Pars gas field during phase 19, Shana quoted phase 19 development manager Hamidreza Masoudi as saying.
"The 3200-ton, 81-metre high platform was installed to a 72 metre depth into the water," he noted.
The main goal of the gas field phase 19 development is a daily production of 50 million cubic meters of natural gas, 77,000 barrels of gas condensate and 400 tons of sulphur.