SOCAR ready to consider possibility to obtain share in gas pipeline in Georgia

The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) shows a great interest in possible acquisition of shares of the main gas pipeline in Georgia, head of SOCAR Energy Georgia (SOCAR's subsidiary) Mahir Mammadov said on July 14.

According to him, negotiations on this issue are not conducted yet. However, the company closely observes developments around the possible sale of share in the pipeline, because this project assumes great interest for SOCAR.

He also noted that SOCAR has extensive experience in operation of major pipelines. Currently, the company owns all gas transpiration and distribution facilities in Azerbaijan.

Today SOCAR exports its gas to Georgia. In addition, through SOCAR Energy Georgia, the company actively works in country's gas distribution market, where it owns about 30 networks.

Earlier, the Government of Georgia withdrew gas pipelines from the list of strategic facilities. This process envisages privatization of part of the participation share. The supporters of this process say that the privatization of part of the participation share by any company will improve the efficiency of the pipeline.

Earlier Kazakh KazMunayGas and Russian Gazprom displayed an interest in acquiring share in the pipeline.


/Trend/