2009-09-23

Elshad Nasirov, one of the leading managers of Azerbaijan's state-owned oil and gas company SOCAR, said on 16 September during the Gas Infrastructure World Caspian conference in Baku that Azerbaijan was considering the possibility of starting gas exports to China. Nasirov's statement reflects Azerbaijan's frustration and disappointment with the lack of progress in talks concerning the terms and conditions of gas exports from Azerbaijan to the West, and with the extremely slow progress in the implementation of the EU-endorsed Nabucco gas pipeline project.

Nasirov criticised the European Union's sluggish actions in harsh words by saying that "if Europe only dreams" about Azeri gas, the gas will go to China as a result (although this option is not technically feasible at the moment). Moreover, Nasirov also confirmed that talks were underway concerning potential gas exports from Azerbaijan to Iran and Russia in quantities larger than those provided for in the contract concluded in June. Export to these two countries is technically feasible, although it is not a real alternative to the Western direction which remains the most attractive option for Azerbaijan (as confirmed by Nasirov himself).The SOCAR representative's statement was addressed mainly to the European Union and Turkey. Baku is trying to step up pressure on Brussels and Ankara and prompt them to take more vigorous action with a view to starting gas exports from Azerbaijan to the West. <ola>

Permalink