Baku talks Adriatic gas pipeline

May 12, 2010

Share BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 12 (UPI) — A natural gas pipeline through the
Adriatic Sea may help secure European energy supplies, Azeri energy
executives told Swiss officials in Baku.

Rovnag Abdullayev, the head of the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic, met
with Swiss officials to discuss natural gas sales in the European market.

He said Azerbaijan is exporting natural gas to Georgia, Turkey, Russia and
Iran currently and expected increases when the second phase of the Shah
Deniz gas field in the Caspian Sea expands production.

Abdullayev said specialists from the state-run energy company were examining
various segments of the European and Central Asian markets. Swiss and Azeri
officials, he added, expressed their shared interest in a partnership with
Azerbaijan for the Trans Adriatic gas pipeline project.

The pipeline is part of the so-called Southern Gas Corridor envisioned by
European officials to diversify the regional energy sector. It would carry
Central Asian and Middle Easter gas about 300 miles through the Adriatic Sea
to European markets. Swiss energy company EGL Group announced the project in
2003.

Abdullayev stressed that gas-rich Azerbaijan has a vital role to play in
European energy security.