SECURITY TO EXPLOIT BAKU-TBILISI-CEYHAN PIPELINE UNDER THREAT
PanARMENIAN.Net
10.01.2007 13:59 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ Western and Georgian experts cast doubt on ecological
security of Baku-Tbilsi-Cejyan oil pipeline and Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum
gas pipeline.
Experts of Georgian ‘Green Alliance’ organization raised the security
issue of both exporting pipelines, which go through Georgian territory.
Ecologists say that the matter is about possible leak of gas and oil,
since the protective layer of pipelines has corroded. According to
their information, in 2003 the protective layer was already damaged,
because of which the construction works slowed down and cost $1 billion
higher than were expected. Serious defects occurred in 2005 too.
‘Green Alliance’ carries out monitoring of the pipeline since 2002. The
organization claims that during construction works pipelayers many
times had to dig out stacked pipes since the protective layer was
damaged. The gas and oil pipelines particularly threaten some special
territories under protection, especially to a region near Borzhomi
resort.
It is worth reminding that the pipeline has been already exploited,
and the start of functioning of gas pipeline is postponed for 3
months because of technical problems. It will transport gas from Azeri
‘Shah-Deniz’ field to Turkey through Georgian territory, RBK reports.