TRUNK PIPELINE IN GEORGIA DAMAGED IN FOUR SPOTS, DELIVERY TO ARMENIA STOPS

Itar-Tass
Jan 9 2009
Russia

TBILISI, January 9 (Itar-Tass) — A trunk gas pipeline is damaged
in four spots in the Georgian Gardabani district, and Russian gas
delivery to Armenia is suspended, Georgian Energy Minister Aleko
Khetaguri said after a visit to the accident place.

"Georgia planned to repair the gas pipeline in spring, but we had
a large gas leak today and it was decided to suspend Russian gas
transit to Armenia," he said.

"Russia and Armenia were immediately informed about the accident in
the Gardabani district. The dispatch and reception of gas were stopped
so that Georgian workers could repair the pipeline," the minister said.

"Georgian specialists will be working day and night in order to resume
Russian gas transit to Armenia as soon as possible," he said. "It
will take no more than five days."

"The accident will not endanger Armenia, which has a gas storage
with two-month reserves," a source at the Georgian Energy Ministry
said. Meanwhile, Georgia receives almost all of its gas from
Azerbaijan.

Armenia has stopped receiving gas through Georgia, but that won’t
harm local consumers, a source at the ArmRosGazprom gas transportation
company told Itar-Tass earlier in the day.

ArmRosGazprom representatives went to Georgia for analyzing the
situation and giving assistance if necessary. Georgia said that the
repairs would be over as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Armenian consumers will receive gas from underground
storage facilities.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress