THE IRANIAN GAS WILL ASSIST TO DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH ASIA, THE AUTHORITIES OF PAKISTAN CONFIRM
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Minister of Economy and Finance of Pakistan Mr. Shaukat Aziz has declared that the project of the construction of the pipeline by which the Iranian natural gas will be delivered to Pakistan and India, will assist to the development and progress of the South Asia, the agency SHANA informs.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The volume of the industrial production in Azerbaijan for two months of the current year made 4.2 trln. manats (4924 manats - $1) and exceeded the analogous rate of 2003 by 4.6%.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), the operator of the project of the development of the fields "Azeri - Chiraq - Guneshli" has announced about awarding of grant by a volume of $250 thou for realization of the program of investing to population of the Baku settlement Bibi-Eybat.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: For continuation of the work on project of investing to the agricultural infrastructure of Azerbaijan the Mission of the World Bank on agriculture has come to Azerbaijan. As Media-Press has informed in the Baku Office of the WB, the work on components of the project will be continued jointly with the Azerbaijan specialists and its end cost will be determined.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: Today the speaker of the State Duma of the RF Mr. Boris Grizlov came to Baku. Within frameworks of his visit meetings with the Chairman of Milli Mejlis Mr. Murtuz Aleskerov, Premier Mr. Artur Rasizade and the President Ilham Aliyev are held today. Issues of strengthening of both parliamentary communications and bilateral relations as whole including issues of regional safety, fight against terrorism are to be discussed. The problem of the Nagorni Karabakh conflict adjustment will be the separate theme of discussions.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: By information of press service of the Federation Council of the RF, from March 31 up to April 2 the delegation of Milli Mejlis under the head of the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Mr. Arif Ragimzade will stay in Moscow with the working visit.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: By the information of the Radio "Free Europe/Radio Liberty" two correspondents of the Turkmen Service of FE/RL Mr. Rakhim Esenov and Mr. Ashirguli Bayrieyev were liberated from the prison, however convictions against them were not removed and they both were warned about a necessity of stopping of their relations with this radio station.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In accordance with accounts of analysts of the company Raymond James & Associates Inc. in 2008 the Caspian oil will provide slightly more than 1% of the world demand while the OPEC will provide the world oil demands for 35 - 45%.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: For two months of 2004 the Azerbaijan OPP 710.9 thou tons of oil products have been sold on the internal market of the country. This is by 18.6% higher than the analogous rate of 2003.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: This year the JC "Azerigas" plans to pump 1 bn cubic meters of the natural gas to the underground gas tanks (UGT). The Director of "Azerigaz" Mr. Alikhan Melikov has informed journalists about this. We shall remind that in the current year "RosGasExport" will supply 5.5 bn cubic meters to Azerbaijan.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The negotiations on deliveries of the Iranian gas to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic are continued for the present as there are some unsolved problems.
BAKU.29.03.2004. MEDIA-PRESS: Turkmenistan has started the certification of supplies of the natural gas on the southeast of the country. International certificating companies from the USA and Great Britain will carry out this work by a cost of $1.1 MM - the Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan has signed contracts with them.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The oil pipeline "Odessa-Brodi" should start its work on May of 2004. As press service of the Government of Ukraine has informed RIA "Novosti", the Premier of Ukraine Mr. Victor Yanukovich has told about this. "On May the oil pipeline may operate really", - Mr. Yanukovich has said in Odessa after visit to oil terminal "Yuzni".
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: In Warsaw under authorities of governments of Poland, Kazakshtan, Ukraine and the European Commission the international conference "Pipeline Forum" has been held. It was devoted to the realization of the project of oil transportation by the pipeline "Odessa-Brodi-Plotsk" and further to Europe.
BAKU.29.03.2004.MEDIA-PRESS: The State Japanese Bank of the International Cooperation and leading Japanese banks will deliver the credit by $1.2 bn to the Iranian State Oil Company. The redemption of the credit will be carried out by deliveries of crude oil during 9 years.
The Pakistan Minister has reminded about the Iran-Pakistan agreement on construction of the pipeline, which will connect territories of both the countries and expressed a hope that and India will declare its readiness for continuation of this pipeline on its terrtitory.
Mr. Sh. Aziz has emphasized that Iran, which has the richest supplies of natural gas may satisfy energy demands of India and Pakistan.
By the words of the Minister, perspectives of realization of mentioned project become more hopeful after weakening of intensity in relations between Islamabad and Delhi.
By estimations of specialists, 3 years are required for construction of the pipeline between Iran and Pakistan, however in a case of joining of India to the project more time would be required.
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR THE VOLUME OF THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION IN AZERBAIJAN HAS BECOME 4.2 TRLN MANATS
Manufacturing of the production on enterprises of processing industry grew up by 18.2% and by 1.4% in producing one. In sectors of electric power production and transmission it increased by 8%.
Totally for January - February in the producing industry production by a total cost of 1.934 trln manats was manufactured; processing industry - 1.87 trln manats; electric power and gas supplying field - 427.5 bn manats. The manufacturing industry produced 45.7% of industrial production; processing industry - 44.2% and electric and gas- water- supplying - 10.1%.
A share of non-state sector in industry made 54%. On January - February of 2004 the growth of production in private sector of the industry made 4.5%.
THE AIOC HAS AWARDED THE GRANT BY $250 THOU MANATS FOR REALIZATON OF THE PROGRAM OF INVESTMENTS TO POPULATION IN THE BAKU SETTLEMENT BIBI-EYBAT
As it is known, on the territory of this settlement the consortium Amec/Tekfen/Azfen constructs the platform for gas pressing out and water pumping to boreholes on the "Central Azeri".
As Media-Press has been informed in BP-Azerbaijan, the International Rescue Committee has received the grant for realization of this program and the relevant agreement was signed. Within frameworks of this program the population of the settlement of Bibi-Eybat will be assisted in solving of social and economic problems. Up to the end of 2005 else $150 thou will be invested for population needs.
The financing of the social sphere includes so-called investments to population, when the aid is rendered to the local inhabitants living near objects being managed by BP an its partners. Foundation of new job places, improvement of infrastructure and repairs of the health and education objects, assistance to development of small and middle business by means of technical aid and creation of new opportunities - they all are the main objectives.
So, for 2003 investments to the population of Sangachal (within the project "Azeri") made $1.3 MM; investments to the population dwelling along the route of the Main Exporting Pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Ceyhan and exporting gas pipeline Baku - Tbilisi - Erzurum - $2.6 MM; the population within ranges of the Northern Route (the pipeline Baku - Novorossiisk) - $105 thou; Besides, $520 thou were transferred to the social sphere of other regions of Azerbaijan. In 2003 the company BP-Azerbaijan and its partners on all oil and gas projects in Azerbaijan invested $4.525 MM to the social sphere of the republic.
THE WORK ON THE PROJECT OF INVESTING TO THE AGRICULTURAL INFRASTRUCTURE OF AZERBAIJAN IS CLOSE TO COMPLETION
By preliminary information, the project includes two components providing construction of roads and water supply improvement in countryside and enlarging authorities of municipalities and other local authority structures. Supposedly, for realization of the project means of the WB and government of Azerbaijan as well as ones of village population will be attracted.
Expectedly, for realization of the project the WB may allocate the credit by $15 MM provided for 35 years with 10 years favorable period. Moreover, the officials of the WB have informed that the government of Japan has allocated grant for this project; however, its total is unknown for the present.
By a schedule, the project will be approved up to the end of the finance year.
We shall note that this is not the first joint project of the WB in Azerbaijan. The first one - "Privatization of economies" has started else in 1997 in six pilot regions: Barda, Ujar, Salyan, Khachmaz, Sharur and Nakhchivan (village) and completed in the past year. This program by a const of $30 MM included 150 villages. It provided for crediting farmers, assistance to lands privatization, rendering of information services to farmers and their training including market relations. Within frameworks of the project 5 thou farmers received a credit by a total of $5.8 MM.
The realization of the second project - "The Development and Crediting of Agriculture" has begun on April 2002. In the first four years $33.6 MM will be allocated for its realization and the Government of the country will allocate $1.4 MM. Totally the project is estimated by $100 MM and is accounted for 10 years. Within frameworks of the project certification of immovable property of farmers will be carried out, regional offices for registration of lands and farmer economies crediting, will be founded.
THE DELEGATION OF THE STATE DUMA OF THE RF UNDER A HEAD OF MR. B. GRIZLOV HAS COME TO BAKU
Once after arrival Mr. Boris Grizlov visited to the grave of former President of Azerbaijan Mr. Geydar Aliyev and Avenue of Shehids, where victims of events of 1990 and the Karabakh conflict were buried.
In accordance with a schedule on the second day of visit Mr. Boris Grizlov will visit one of regions of Azerbaijan.
THE PARLIAMENT DELEGATION OF AZERBAIJAN WILL VISIT TO MOSCOW IN WORKING ORDER
In the morning of Apil 1 the sitting of bilateral parliamentary commission of the Federation Council of the RF and Milli Mejlis of the Azerbaijan Republic is held.
In the same day after completion of the sitting of the commission the joint press conference with participation of co-chairmen of the commission - the first Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council on the CIS Affairs Mr. K. Markelov and the first Deputy of the Speaker of Milli Mejis Mr. A. Ragimzade will take place.
THE TURKMEN JOURNALISTS WERE LIBERATED FROM PRISON, HOWEVER THEY WERE FORBIDDEN TO WORK FOR "RADIO LIBERTY"
Mr. Rakhim Esenov was liberated from the prison on March 10 however Ashgabad limits still his movement liberty. Mr. Esenov was arrested on February 26 by conviction in "stirring up of the social, ethnic and religious hostility" according to the Aricle 177 of the Turkmen Criminal Law. Historicist and journalist working in the Turkmen Service of RFE/RL since 1997, at first Esenov was convicted at first that he had brought examples of his roman "Crowned Wanderer" as a contraband, however obviously his work on these radio stations has become a main cause of his arrest.
By the words of Mr.Esenov, "the international organizations have helped to his liberation", - the Embassies of the USA, Great Britain, OSCE have sent notes of protest with demands of his liberation. Radio "Liberty" allocated the powerful assistance, by his words. As well several organizations defending human rights and mass media freedom including "Amnesty International", "Committed of Journalists Protection" and "Reporters Out of Frontiers" have called to liberation of Mr. Esenov.
MAXIMUM OIL PRODUCTION IN AZERBAIJAN SHALL TAKE PLACE EXPECTEDLY IN 2009
In accordance with forecasts of the Director of the Azerbaijan scientific-research institute "Gipromorneftegaz" Mr. Bagir Suleymanov, maximum of oil production in Azerbaijan will take place in 2009. Then 55 MM tons of oil annually may be produced. Natural gas production by a volume of 20 bn cubic meters will take place expectedly in 2011.
FOR TWO MONTHS THE AZERBAIJAN OIL PROCESSING PLANTS SOLD 710.9 THOU TONS OF OIL PRODUCTS ON THE INTERNAL MARKET
By data of the State Statistic Committee of Azerbaijan, funeral mazut made 65% of sold production, diesel fuel - 12%, car benzene - 11%, aircraft kerosene - 10%.
The State Concern "The Azerbaijan Airlines" purchased 42% of aircraft fuel and kerosene. The Caspian Shipping Company purchased 50.3% of engine oil and the JC "Azenerji" purchased 93.3% of funeral mazut.
IN THIS YEAR "AZERIGAZ" PLANS TO PUMP 1 BN CUBIC METERS OF THE NATURAL GAS TO THE UNDERGROUND GAS TANKS
There are two underground gas tanks: Garadag and Kalmaz ones, where 500 MM cubic meters of gas were pumped annually.
For a few years the idea of reconstruction of these gas tanks is processed for increasing of their capacity in several times. By the words of Mr. A. Melikov, $150 MM may be required.
We shall remind that two large companies were interested in the idea of reconstruction of UGT - the Russian ITERA and British-American BP. Just then an approximate cost of this work was called. $181 MM will be required for the reconstruction of the Garadag UGT. The projects of renewal and enlarging of both the gas tanks were developed by the French company Sofregas. They provide increasing of the volume of the Kalmaz gas tanks from 350 MM cubic meters of gas up to 1.5 bn cubic meters and from 200 MM cubic meters up to 3 MM in the Garadag one.
The program of the reconstruction of the Calmaz and Garadag UGS was developed in calculation for gas, which will be produced on the field "Shakh-Deniz".
THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THE IRANIAN GAS DELIVERIES TO NAKHCIVAN CONTINUE, HOWEVER UP TO DATE THE AUTONOMOUS REPUBLIC REMAINS WITHOUT GAS
As the Director of the JC "Azerigaz" Mr. Alikhan Melikov has informed, issues of prices for gas and next returning of analogous volumes of "blue fuel" are unsolved for the present. The Azerbaijan side has agreed with all offers of the Iranian side and so the negotiation process delays only for Tehran", - Mr. A. Melikov has noted.
There is not a gas infrastructure in Nakhichevan and this is else one problem. The Iranian side is ready to allocate credits for its creation. In accordance with accounts of the Azerbaijan specialists, 62 bn manats ($12.6 MM) will be required for these purposes, and the Azerbaijan side is agreed with executing the operations by the Iranian companies.
We shall remind that memorandum has been signed between Azerbaijan and Iran, in accordance with which Iran will deliver annually 350 MM cubic meters to the Azerbaijan Autonomy.
In accordance with memorandum signed between the sides, Azerbaijan will pay out the Iranian gas deliveries not by cash, but redeem them the analogous volumes of the proper gas, which would be produced on the field "Shakh-Deniz" in several years. Gas will be returned to Iran by the existing already pipeline Gazi-Magomed-Astara. The specialists of the JC "Azerigaz" have completed already its inspection. By their estimations, the cost of the restoration works makes 90 bn manats. The length of the gas pipeline Gazi - Magomed - Astara - Bind-Biand (Iran) makes 1474.5 km including 296.5 km of the Azerbainan territory. The capacity of the pipeline makes 10 bn cubic meters annually. This route is the branch of the pipeline Gazakh - Astara - Iran, put into operation else in 1971. 3 compression stations were built on its route - in Gazi Magomed, Agdash and Gazakh. The gas transportation system was accounted for the pressure of 55 atm. The diameter of the pipeline makes 1200 mm.
THE CERTIFICATION OF SUPPLIES OF THE NATURAL GAS HAS STARTED ON THE SOUTH-NORTH OF TURKMENISTAN
The field "Dovletabad" is the first field, supplies of which will be audited. This field is the largest one in Turkmenistan. By information of the Turkmen Ministry of Gas and Oil Industry, this field provides for the major part of gas export to Ukraine and Russia. And the American Company UNOCAL carried out independent auditing of "Dovletabad" in 1996. Then this company intended to build the TransAfghan gas pipeline Turkmenistan - Afghanistan - Pakistan. Then gas supplies of gas in "Dovletabad" were estimated by 1.3 trln. cubic meters of gas.
The certification of gas supplies was provided by both modern development of the project of Transafghan gas pipeline and liabilities of Turkmenistan on long-term contracts on gas deliveries to Russia and Ukraine. As it is known, the realization of 25 years Turkmen-Russian agreement on cooperation in the gas field has started in the present year from purchasing 5 bn cubic meters by "Gazprom". By 2007 the annual volume of deliveries will increase up to 70 bn cubic meters. Totally, Turkmenistan has took liabilities to deliver above 1.5 trln cubic meters of gas to Russia for 2004 - 2028.
In two years five years contract with Ukraine completes and 34 - 36 bn cubic meters of gas annually are delivered to the market and after that Turkmenistan and Ukraine intend to conclude a new long-term agreement.
THE PREMIER OF UKRAINE: THE OIL PIPELINE "ODESSA-BRODI" SHOULD WORK ON MAY
By his words the government considers that ensuring of filling up the pipeline by oil is really enough. In particular, there are already available agreements between governments of interested countries, the Premier has emphasized.
By information of the press service, contracts on receiving the oil by oil-processing plants of Ukraine, Czech Republic and Poland were signed in 2003. At once after experimental pumping of oil new contracts with oil-processing plants of the South Germany will be worked out.
Moreover, the preparation of contracts between companies-crude suppliers and consumers of the Caspian oil is completed, the official of the press service has added.
By his words, Ukraine has achieved the agreement with Kazakhstan on signing of bilateral agreement on cooperation in oil deliveries to Europe through the territory of Ukraine and as well as its processing in a volume of two million tons annually on the Ukrainian OPP. Totally, by information of the press service, the Government of Ukraine considers ensuring of delivering 6 MM tons of oil for filling up the pipeline in 2004 as possible.
The construction of the pipeline "Odessa-Brodi" with a length of 674 km and annual capacity of 9 - 14.5 MM tons, was completed on May 2000. Expectedly, a capacity of the oil pipeline will be enlarged up to 40 - 45 MM tons a year. The oil pipeline Tengiz - Novorossiysk or Baku - Supsa, will pump the oil and further tankers by the Black Sea will deliver it to terminal built in Odessa.
Earlier Ukraine and Poland agreed to found joint company on construction of the pipeline branch from the Ukrainian town Brodi up to Plotsk of Poland.
PERSPECTIVES OF REALIZATION OF THE PROJECT OF OIL TRANSPORTATION BY THE PIPELINE ODESSA-BRODY-PLOTSK AND FURTHER TO EUROPE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED IN WARSAW
As internet-site KZ-today informs, the leaders and experts of the national oil and gas companies of Kazakhstan, Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic and as well as officials of the European commission and transnational corporations Chevron, ConocoPhilips, Shell and Chanol took part in the conference.
Welcoming participants of the conference, the Vice-Premier of Poland Mr. Mareck Pol has emphasized significance of realization of the project Odessa-Brodi-Plotsk for the European countries and expressed the satisfaction by participation of Kazakhstan in it, as one of main energy resources suppliers. The project of this oil pipeline is practical realization of agreements of the President of Kazakhstan Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev and the President of Poland Mr. Alexander Kvasnevski on cooperation in the Caspian oil transportation to Europe.
By the opinion of the official of the European Commission Mr. Fauzi Bensars, Kazakstan would be able enough to play a key role in realization of this project. Mr. F. Bensars has informed about the intension of the European Commission to conduct the meeting of sides interested in the project Odessa-Brodi-Plotsk in Brussels on April of this year.
The President of the Ukrainian Company "Ukrtransnafta" Mr. Alexander Todiichuk has told about advantages of the oil route, particularly saving high quality of the Caspian oil and possibilities of its processing on the European oil processing plants. He has informed that putting into operation of the oil pipeline is planned for May - June of this year. Now consultations between Ukraine and Kazakhstan and as well with Poland and other countries-shareholders of the project are conducted.
Experts, who took part inn the work of the forum, have considered perspectives of foundation of the international consortium, which would be capable to deliver up to 45 MM tons of oil to Europe. The participants of the conference have agreed on the opinion about a necessity of creation of favorable commercial conditions for suppliers, transporters and consumers of the strategic crude.
JAPAN WILL ALLOCATE CREDIT BY $1.2 BN TO IRAN FOR ENSURING THE OIL DELIVERIES
The Japanese Bank of the International Cooperation will allocate 85% of financing on the credit, the leading bank groups will allocate the rest means.
We shall remind that in 2001 Japan has already allocated the analogous credit to Iran, however by $3 bn, and this has cause irritation of the US administration, which joined Iran to so called "Axis of Evil". Moreover, in spite of pressure of Washington, on February Tokyo (however, after long hesitations) signed the agreement with Tehran on the development of the field Azadegan with supplies of 26 bn bbl. The cost of realization of given project makes $2.5 bn.
