Sabit Bagirov

What can you say about the agreement between Baku and Moscow to raise the volumes of Azerbaijani gas transported to Russia four-fold over the previous year?

Indeed, despite the expectations were on the level of 1-1.5bn cubic meters, the sides have agreed on supplies of 2 bn cubic meters of gas to Russia from Azerbaijan. What does it mean? In terms of export diversification this is, certainly, a positive moment for Azerbaijan since in this case our country gets an opportunity to play with prices and gain better results. But, certainly, there are political aspects of this agreement. I think such an agreement politically confirms the due attitude of Azerbaijan to relations with Russia.

Meanwhile, in terms of the opportunities to provide Nabucco, certainly, Azerbaijan did not have enough gas to fill this pipe, while now its volume will be even less.

Does it mean that Nabucco should be given up as a bad job?

I don’t think so. A number of European countries are interested in this project. Certainly, not all of these countries and certainly even the countries concerned in the project have an equal interest to it. This explains the delay in Nabucco implementation. Nevertheless, the process is going on. I think there are sufficient chances for the implementation of this project.

By the way, during the visit to Baku Medvedev said Russia is not jealous about Azerbaijan’s intention to take part in Nabucco project. Can we believe the Russian president considering the fact that the Azerbaijani-Russian agreements do not have restrictions about future gas supplies?

I would like to note that Azerbaijan already supplies its energy sources bypassing Russia. It is even possible to say that Russia itself takes part in it. I would like to remind that the Shah Deniz project involves the Russian company and gas from this field is now going not to the north but in a different direction.

As for Russia’s concern, after the agreement about the next increase in volumes, Russia will have less concerns. And it will be more confident that the South Stream proposed by Russia will be filled with a greater volume of Azerbaijani gas since a similar problem has not yet been settled for this project. It means that initially, as we know, there was a plan to use the Yamal and Turkmen gas. But here, as for Yamal gas, the process are going with delays, while there are more problems with the Turkmen gas.

Head of Russia’s Gazprom Alexei Miller said in Baku that he does not rule out the purchase of a share in Shah Deniz, as well as the purchase of BP share in this field. Can Gazprom do it?

I think Gazprom is quite serious in its intentions. I suppose that if there is a chance, certainly, Gazprom will try to use it to get some positions in the Shah Deniz field. Then this will raise confidence about ensuring gas for the South Stream.

On the other hand, if the BP share in the Shah Deniz project is sold, I do not think SOCAR will be indifferent to this or unwilling to get a share in BP. Anyway, by my expectations, BP is not going to sell its share so far. Though, on the whole, the situation in BP was quite complex, but now, I think BP is not going to sell its share. Though, on the whole, the situation in BP was quite complex, while now BP will hardly view and offer its share for sale.

How can Azerbaijan’s possible consent to sell its whole gas to Russia influence our country?

Azerbaijan is interested in diversifying its export. With respect to this principle, the concentration of all or a greater part of exported resources in any party of the contract may reduce the level of political maneuverability of the Azerbaijani government.

U.U.
News.Az