Page 18 - FSUOGM Week 08 2021

FSUOGM NEWS IN BRIEF FSUOGM

Azerbaijan mulls Turkmen as stating that gas could be sourced from Block Energy announces
Turkmenistan and Israel in the future, while
and Israeli gas and West the SGC could also see gas flowed to the new first West Rustavi gas sales
markets in the Balkans.
Balkans deliveries in SGC reach additional markets and transit gas from and production company, has announced that
"In this [second] phase, SOCAR aims to
Block Energy, a UK-based oil and gas exploration
“phase two” additional locations, as well as developing gas sales have begun at West Rustavi field in the
Republic of Georgia, following the connection of
Azerbaijan's gas resources," Nassirov was
Azerbaijan's state-owned Socar has detailed quoted as saying, adding: "Azerbaijan is Bago’s pipeline to the main Georgian Oil & Gas
what it bills as "phase two" of the Southern prepared to transit gas from multiple sources Corporation pipeline.
Gas Corridor (SGC) project that delivers without discrimination. Energy is never used The company described the development
gas from the South Caucasus country to the as a coercive political tool." as a “major milestone” which represents a
European Union. The SGC helps southern Europe reduce its significant step change in its progression in
Representatives of Azerbaijan’s national dependence on Russian energy exports. First becoming a sustainable energy provider to
energy company SOCAR have spoken of SGC gas flowed to Italy via its last Georgia.
sourcing additional gas from Turkmenistan completed section, the TAP pipeline that "The commencement of gas sales is a
and Israel and flowing gas via the SGC to crosses the Adriatic Sea from Albania, at the great achievement, as Block has managed to
new markets in the Balkans. They have even end of 2020. deliver its gas project in a safe manner, with
talked of Armenia being a possible future Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan struck a zero LTIs (lost time incidents), in the face of
market for Azerbaijani gas—such a prospect landmark agreement last month to jointly a very challenging global environment,” said
would depend on Armenia establishing develop the Dostluk field that spans the Paul Haywood, Block chief executive.
diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan—and of border between the two countries' maritime Two West Rustavi wells, WR-38Z
how the TANAP pipeline in Turkey—a major zones in the Caspian Sea. The agreement and WR-16aZ, have been in continuous
part of the SGC—was already technically ended a 30-year dispute as to which country production since the early weeks of 2021
ready to carry hydrogen. A blend of up to had the rights to develop the field, formerly with production rates currently seen at
20% hydrogen could flow through TANAP in known as Kepez in Azerbaijan and Sardar in around 790 barrels oil equivalent per day in
the future, according to SOCAR briefings. Turkmenistan. aggregate – comprising 423 barrels of oil and
In December, European Commissioner "This new cooperation with Turkmenistan 1.9mln cubic feet of gas per day.
for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver will open up more opportunities for Central The company highlighted the fact that
Varhelyi said the EU was "keen" to explore Asian gas to also join the SGC," S&P further this production performance represented a
the possible extension of the SGC to the quoted Nassirov as saying. substantial increase when compared to the
Western Balkans. "Israeli gas to Turkey and then entering rates prior to the temporary shut-in back in
The Western Balkans covers countries TANAP with swaps in the Turkish market April 2020.
such as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, is commercially the most viable option to Production across all of Block’s portfolio
Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo. export gas from the East Mediterranean into is presently measured at around 940 boepd,
Elshad Nassirov, SOCAR’s vice president Europe and we support that option," he was which at current oil and gas prices, the
for investment and marketing, lately spoke also cited as saying.” company estimates is equivalent to around
during an Atlantic Council webinar. $920,000 per month.
S&P Global Platts reported Nassirov

P18 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 08 24•February•2021