The number of countries supplied with Azerbaijani gas could increase to more than 10, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said at the Baku Energy Forum, which started on Thursday, Report informs.
“This year's forum coincides with the formation of a new global energy landscape based on the diversification of safe and reliable energy sources and routes, especially the development of green energy. This year Azerbaijan is expected to export more than 24 bcm of gas, about half of which will be supplied to Europe. Currently, Azerbaijani gas is transported to 6 countries. With the expansion of the Southern Gas Corridor and the launch of the Solidarity Ring project, the number of countries supplied with Azerbaijani gas could increase from the current 6 to more than 10,” he said.
According to the minister, for additional gas supply, the transmission capacity should be increased in the Southern Gas Corridor and the Solidarity Ring, among many other complex undertakings: “For all these to happen, a firm and clear coordinated action of the partner countries is a necessity. We plan projects not only from a commercial but also from a strategic point of view. The development of all types of energy resources of the Caspian Sea and their export to the world markets have always been and should be carried out in parallel and in alignment. Azerbaijan itself has always been the main locus of energy route projects, and this unchanging line of our energy policy is still relevant today.”
Shahbazov said that Azerbaijan is currently working on several sources for additional gas volumes: “The main source is our rich gas reserves. Our recoverable gas reserves are 933 bcm, proven reserves stand at 1.7 trillion cubic meters, and forecasted reserves are approximately 4 tcm. Absheron, Karabakh, Umid, Babek and Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli Deep Gas projects are expected to produce additional volumes of gas in the short to medium run, to be exported to our partners.”