Statoil is to begin talks with prospective customers over the supply of around 10 billion m³ of gas per year, from the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan.
"We're planning bilateral negotiations with potential customers...," said a spokeswoman for Statoil, before adding that the customers include three "potential pipeline projects". She also denied claims that Shah Deniz 2 consortium is planning a tender process, as reported in the Turkish media.
A second development phase of the Shah Deniz gas field, located in the south Caspian Basin, plays an integral role in the European Union's plan to expand its gas supply away from Russia, and offers the best potential for an easy export to the 27-country bloc. The European Commission has been strongly pushing to build a pipeline to carry that gas through Turkey to its countries.
The second development stage of Shah Deniz is expected to reach output of 16 billion m³ a year from 2016 or possibly as early as 2014.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
For more news and expert analysis about the Caspian region, please see Caspian Focus.
© 2010 Menas Associates
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