Baku can export 12B cu m of gas to Europe

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Azerbaijan will be able to export 12 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe per year from the Shah Deniz pipeline, a top official said.

Industry and Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev said Tuesday the volume will be possible during the second stage of the development of the Shah Deniz gas condensate field, the Turan news agency reported.

Both Europe and the United States are interested in the implementation of the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline project, which would bypass Russia, and the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan received $1.7 million to conduct a technical and economical feasibility study, he said.

The pipeline, which would have an annual capacity of 20 billion cu m, would carry gas from Turkmenistan to Europe through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. It remains controversial, however, because of the disputes over the Caspian Sea among the states that border it.