Azerbaijan, Baku, November 11 / Trend , E.Ismaylov /
Within the beginning of Azerbaijani gas supply to Russia, the technical preparation of the gas infrastructure between the two countries is at the stage of completion, said the head of SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) Rovnag Abdullayev at the ceremony of presenting state awards to employees of oil and gas industry of Azerbaijan.
"All preparatory work in the Russian direction is being completed, including inspection of the Novo-Fili, shifting to the reverse regime, transferring additional gas connections. Also the river crossing in Guba region of Azerbaijan must be repaired and we have already begun the repair work there," said Abdullayev. Gas supply to Russia in accordance with the contract on gas sale will begin in January next year, said Abdullayev.
Medium-term contract (with possibility of extension) on sale of Azerbaijani gas to Russia was signed in Baku on October 14. The contract was signed between SOCAR and Gazprom. It covers the period of 2010-2014. Under the contract, the Azerbaijani side will annually supply gas to Russia in volume of at least 500 million cubic meters. The contract did not specify a limit of gas supply volume. For the six months ahead, SOCAR will notify the Russian side of the volume that the Company can deliver.
At present, Azerbaijan and Russia are connected through Mozdok-Kazi-Mammad gas pipeline.
A senior official of SOCAR said formerly that within the contract, in 2010 Azerbaijan will supply to Russia at least 500 million cubic meters of gas. In his opinion, the company will not have the possibility to increase gas supplies to Russia by several times in the first year.
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