Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 30 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
SOCAR thinks that only administrative measures in Azerbaijan are insufficient to prevent the exploitation of cars, which are not fit according to the environmental standards defined in Euro-2 and Euro-3.
"We need to look at it realistically. It is difficult to prevent it by administrative ways. Both administrative and economic measures must be used here. There are few cars with engines complying with Euro-2 and Euro- 3 in our market," a SOCAR representative said.
SOCAR plans to begin production of diesel fuel complying with Euro-3 standards from 2011.
The source also noted that domestic demand in petrol is high, although diesel fuel complies with Euro-3 standard. Diesel is in demand in the open foreign markets, because 1.5 million tons of diesel, produced in Azerbaijan, are exported. Turkey, the market of the Black Sea and some part of the Mediterranean market are the main sellers of diesel, which fuel is mainly used by trucks and ships.
Azerbaijan has started to apply environmental standards Euro-2 since July.
There are two refineries in Azerbaijan with a total annual capacity of 20 million tons. SOCAR supplies oil extracted onshore and offshore at its own expense to the refineries, which are both a part of SOCAR.
