(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.4. Shah Deniz and the
Southern gas Corridor (SGC) are clearly today's, but also
tomorrow's top story, said Gary Jones, bp regional president
Azerbaijan-Georgia-Türkiye, trend reports.
He was addressing the 9th Ministerial Meeting of the Southern
Gas Corridor Advisory Council held Feb.3 in Baku.
“The world needs energy that is secure, affordable and lower
carbon. This makes the role of the projects like SGC and Shah Deniz
grow even more. As they help address all three of those needs. Shah
Deniz and SGC are clearly today's, but also tomorrow's top story.
There are significant expansion opportunities for both projects.
Now, that there is so much demand for gas supply, this expansion
has become even more critical. SGC is designed as scalable so that
its initial throughput capacity can be expanded if and when needed.
We are currently working with SOCAR and other partners to see how
we can use this to increase gas supplies to Europe,” said Gary
Jones.
Moreover, the regional director said bp is looking at the
potential new sources of gas.
“We have just spudded an exploration well on Shah Deniz to look
for more gas beneath the currently producing horizons. We have also
started an appraisal well from Chirag – ACG's very first platform -
to explore the deep gas reservoirs under the producing oil field.
In parallel, we are evaluating how we can electrify our operations
instead of powering them using gas. The electrification of the
Sangachal terminal could be a good start. Replacing the Sangachal
gas turbines with grid access would allow us to export the
displaced gas through SGC. Both Shah Deniz and SGC can further
contribute to the energy transition and security of supply,” noted
Jones.
bp's regional director pointed out that Azerbaijan has vast
potential and strategic plans on boosting gas supplies through
SGC.
“We have been privileged and proud to develop and operate the
country's major energy projects over the last 30 years, hand in
hand with SOCAR and other co-venturers. Now, as the long-term and
reliable partner, we are ready to continue supporting the country
as it realizes its plans for SGC,” he added.
Southern Gas Corridor started transportation of Azerbaijani gas
to Europe on December 31, 2020. It transports of gas from the
Caspian Sea region to European countries through Georgia and
Türkiye.
This large-scale project is aimed at diversification of energy
supply routes and sources, thereby contributing to strengthening
Europe's energy security. The project's cost totaled $33 billion,
as compared to the forecast $45 billion. Capital expenditures on
the SGC project are expected to be fully reimbursed within 8-10
years.
Azerbaijan's export of natural gas to European Union market will
stand at 11.6 billion cubic meters as of 2023. Total export of
natural gas from Azerbaijan this year will be almost 24.5 billion
cubic meters.
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