Astana, Kazakhstan, Oct.30
By Daniyar Mukhtarov - Trend:
The transportation of Kazakh oil via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline is not only related to the tariff policy, according to the Principal Deputy Assistant of the US Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Hoagland.
"The route running though the BTC [for transportation of oil to the European market] may be used by all Caspian Sea countries, which depends on their desire," Hoagland said during a round table in Astana.
"And we are ready to review any new proposal by Kazakhstan. However, I wouldn't like to make predictions, since we should make decisions based on the real situation," he said.
It was earlier reported that Kazakhstan considers oil export routes, which could go beyond Russia, including oil transportation from the Aktau port through the Caspian Sea, then through Azerbaijan.
"The current situation suggests that the anti-Russian sanctions will not affect oil and gas supplies from Russia to the EU, including Kazakh oil supplies through Russian pipelines. However, we are working to diversify oil exports," Kazakh Energy Ministry said.
The most potential large market for Kazakhstan's oil is China, according to the ministry. Another alternative option is Iran.
In August Kazakh Economy Minister Erbolat Dossaev said Kazakhstan would launch a special plan developed for the situation if further sanctions were imposed on Russia and deterioration of situation in Ukraine.
The total length of the BТС is 1,768 kilometers including a 443 kilometer long section running through Azerbaijan, a 249 kilometer long section in Georgia and a 1,076 kilometer long section in Turkey. The construction of the pipeline started in April 2003. It was filled with oil on May 18, 2005.
BTC Co. shareholders are: BP (30.1 percent), AzBTC (25 percent), Chevron (8.9 percent), Statoil (8.71 percent), ТРАО (6.53 percent), Eni (5 percent), Total (5 percent), Itochu (3.4 percent), Inpex (2.5 percent), ConocoPhillips (2.5 percent) and ONGC (2.36 percent).
Edited by CN
