SOCAR resumes gas supply to Russia

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) has restored gas exports to Russia, a source in SOCAR said. Gas pumping through the Mozdok-Kazi-magomed pipeline, which connects the gas system of Azerbaijan and Russia, was suspended on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. Baku time. The gas supply was suspended to eliminate gas leakage, occurred at the 356 kilometer of the pipeline.

"Gas transportation through the Mozdok-Kazi-Magomed pipleine has already been restored," the source said.

At present, Azerbaijan and Russia are linked by the Mozdok-Kazi-Magomed Pipeline, whose capacity is 5 million cu m of gas per year. Until 2007, Azerbaijan imported 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas. In 2008, Azerbaijan refused to import gas.

The medium-term contract on purchase-sale of Azerbaijani gas to Russia (with the possibility of extension) was signed between SOCAR and Gazprom in Baku Oct. 14. Its scheduled for 2010-2014. Under the contract, the Azerbaijani side will annually supply gas amounting to no less than 500 million cubic meters to Russia. The contract did not specify a limit to the gas supply volume. SOCAR will notify the opposite side of the amount which the company can deliver for the next six months.

Azerbaijan launched gas supplies to Russia Jan.1, 2010. It was initially planned that SOCAR will supply Russia with 500 million cubic meters of gas. But a decision was made to increase supplies twice. Also, Gazprom and SOCAR have agreed upon volumes of Azerbaijani gas to be exported to Russia in 2011. In 2010, this figure would be about two billion cubic meters.


/Trend/