|
Energy Policy Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey |
26 June 2012by Nasrin Suleymanli, JTW
From June 5 to 8, the 2012 Caspian Oil and Gas exhibition conference held in Baku demonstrated the success of energy policy and energy security issues once again by attracting the direct attention of the world. The importance of this issue is increasing day by day. Despite the economic crisis in Europe in 2011, gas expenditure has increased in the region.
The provision of energy and diversification of supply routes have become one of the main elements of the national security of countries in the world.
In particular, the world’s great powers attempt to make energy resources the instrument of political pressure to force them in this direction to find a more flexible policy, and to realize more reliable ways.
One of the main issues to be focused on in this direction is the diversification of energy supply.
President of the United States Barack Obama, in sending a letter to the Baku Caspian and gas supply exhibition, noted that energy diversification and security issues are the general obligations of the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the United States as well as an important issue for them both.
Meanwhile, the U.S. President announced the maintenance of partnership in the transportation of energy resources to Europe with the Southern Corridor Project.
Currently, the Republic of Azerbaijan is considered a serious partner in the diversification of energy supply to European countries.
Azerbaijan has sufficient energy resources and using these resources with European countries can provide new and reliable sources of energy demand.
The Republic of Azerbaijan’s amount of oil reserves is estimated at 2 billion and gas reserves 2.6 trillion cubic meters. Azerbaijan exports to 24 countries.
There are several countries that meet their need for oil reserves through 25-35 percent of Azerbaijani oil reserves. Today, the gas reserves of the Azerbaijani Republic are sold to Greece among other European countries. On the other hand, the Republic of Azerbaijan within the framework of energy policy tries to use economic interests only, and this cooperation makes it more reliable.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, during the exhibition and opening ceremony of the conference in Baku, said that the energy producing and transit countries as well as consumer countries should closely cooperate. This issue is especially important for Azerbaijan.
Owning to the huge energy reserves, Azerbaijan has no direct contact with Europe’s biggest energy markets. This link should be established through a transit country.
In this context, Turkey’s energy cooperation with Azerbaijan is not only useful for both of them, but also for all of Europe. The level of the future energy security of Europe will be based on the importance of this cooperation.
No doubt this cooperation in the economic development of both countries also plays an important role in strengthening their loyalty to each other.
Founded in 2003 and starting operations in 2006, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan gas pipeline in the field of energy is the best example of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey.
With the construction of this pipeline, Azerbaijan got closer to the border with Europe through Turkey and became a big oil exporter while Turkey became a transit country. The pipeline has opened a new page in the energy supply of Europe.
The construction of the Baku-Trabzon–Erzurum gas pipeline enables the transportation of Azerbaijani gas to the Turkish market, and even one portion of it to be exported to Greece.
In recent years, the discovery of “Shad Deniz-2,” “Umid,” and “Absheron” increased the gas deposits. Gas production from these fields can create a new European energy view.
Therefore, the “Nabucco” and “South Stream” projects were the subject of debate. However, other projects for the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to European markets are also under discussion.
Hasan Murat Mercan, Turkish Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the exhibition conference in Baku said that his country is ready to participate in the implementation of a new project for the transformation of Caspian gas supply.
Since the operationalization of the Shah Deniz-2 project, there has been a need for the development of new projects for the transportation of Azerbaijani gas reserves to Europe.
Gas pipeline TANAP (Transanadolu) was launched for the transportation of gas reserves to Europe. The assistants of the general manager of the company Botas said at the exhibition and conference in Baku that the construction of TANAPP will begin in the near future.
The total length of the TANAP gas pipeline will be 2 thousand kilometers and the pipeline will stretch from Turkey’s eastern to western border.
Every year, 16 billion cubic meters of gas transformation will be possible through this pipeline. After starting the full operation of the gas fields, Azerbaijan is expected to produce 50 billion cubic meters of gas until 2025.
TANAP’s capacity for the transformation of gas reserves is considered to be 24 billion cubic meters of gas. The construction of TANAP is expected to cost 5-7 billion dollars.
Energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey does not end with only the transformation of energy resources.
In the exhibition and conference, the representatives of Turkey said that Turkmenistan can participate in the construction of the Transgas pipeline and transport Turkmen gas through Azerbaijan-Turkey cooperation. Even this project has received big support from the U.S. In the near future if there is a clear view on this issue, a new page can be opened in the energy cooperation between Azerbaijan and Turkey. |
26 June 2012
Journal of Turkish Weekly
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOST VISITED NEWS (DAILY) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
