Azerbaijan, Baku, Aug.12 / Trend, A.Badalova /
The consortium of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline Project (TAP) is optimistic that a transit agreement will be signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey soon.
ТАР Project Director Michael Hoffmann said the agreement may be achieved in September.
"We believe it is in the mutual interest of both countries to reach this agreement, which will regulate the sale of Azerbaijani gas to Turkey and its transportation to European markets through Turkey," he wrote Trend in an e-mail.
He said all players need the agreement by September to ensure a 2017 effective start up of SDII gas exports.
The gas produced within the second phase of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz Field is considered to be a main gas source for the Southern Gas Corridor project, in particular the TAP project.
The consortium expects concrete proposals from various pipeline projects, including TAP, by Oct. 1, based on which a transportation route will be chosen by late this year.
Hoffmann said if an agreement is not reached soon, it will be difficult to realize the Southern Gas Corridor on time and gas exports from Shah Deniz II to Europe will be delayed.
He also said it is important that this transit agreement is signed according to international law to provide confidence to upstream producers, shippers and European consumers.
Signing a transit agreement with Turkey is necessary to transport Azerbaijani gas, in particular from the Shah Deniz field to Europe. At present, SOCAR is negotiating with potential buyers and transporters of Azerbaijani gas.
Azerbaijan and Turkey plan to reach a transit agreement on Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe in September 2011, Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Hulusi Kilic said earlier. Azerbaijan and Turkey plan to hold a new round of talks on the gas agreements package in late August.