Caspian gas producers affirm supplies for Nabucco

The leaders of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, both major producers of natural gas in the Caspian region, have given assurances that their respective countries stand ready to serve as suppliers to the Nabucco gas pipeline, which is being backed by the US and the European Union.

Azerbaijan’s gas reserves are sufficient to supply more than one pipeline project, according to Rovnag Abdullayev, the head of State Oil Co. of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR).
“Turkmenistan, consistent with the principles of diversifying its energy transport network on world markets, is considering all existing possibilities to participate in major international projects, as for example the Nabucco project,” Berdymukhamedov said.

The upbeat statements by the two Caspian leaders came just ahead of the July 13 meeting in Ankara where the prime ministers of Turkey, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary are scheduled to sign an intergovernmental deal to allow the pipeline to pass their territory.

Although the US is not a party to the Nabucco treaty, it has been a strong advocate for the pipeline, saying it would diversify Europe’s energy supply, benefiting the energy security of Washington’s NATO allies and easing the strategic energy threats to all hydrocarbon consuming nations.

PennEnergy