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GEORGIA BLOWS BUBBLES WITH ARMENIA'S GAS
By Samvel Avagyan
news.am
Dec 2 2010
Armenia
On November 24, volumes of gas supplied to Armenia, declined.
Currently, gas is supplied via 700 mm diameter pipeline, the maximum
capacity of which is 4.5 million cubic meters a day. However, during
winter period gas consumption dramatically increase, making at least
6 million cubic meters a day, which can only be provided by a 1200
mm diameter gas pipeline. Thus, Armenia receives 1.5 million cubic
meters a day, less gas than needed.
NEWS.am reporter tried to find out at ArmRosGazprom, when Armenia
will start receiving necessary amount of gas and what is causing
the reduction of supply. The Public Relations department said that
Georgia's gas transporting company is conditioning reduction in
supplies by pipeline repair works without specifying any possible
time frame for completion of these works. ArmRosGazprom refused to
give other comments.
So we were not able to find out in what section of the gas pipeline the
accident occurred. Taking into account the work style of the Georgian
company, we would not be surprised if it turns out that they did not
consider it necessary to even notify their Armenian partner.
Independent expert Alexander Aramyan said that one week is sufficient
to eliminate even the most serious accidents, but it is already the
8th day that the gas pipeline is not operational. According to the
expert, Tbilisi spread misinformation on an accident. "There is no
accident, or the Georgian side is not actively working to fix it. In
all likelihood, Georgia once again tries to use the pipeline to put
pressure on Armenia", Aramyan told NEWS.am reporter.
It is likely that this pressure is connected with Georgia's intention
to sell the pipeline to the Azerbaijani gas company. This coincided
with the Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri's visit to Baku
on November 30, where he held talks with the Azeri SOCAR company.
SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev once again reminded the Georgian
minister, his readiness to buy Georgian section of the north -
south pipeline, which supplies gas to Armenia. It is noteworthy that
this section of the pipeline does not promise significant economic
dividends. Georgia gets only 10% of the gas supplied to Armenia in
exchange for transit from Russia.
It is also possible that Georgia wants to raise the transit fare,
perhaps, taking the example of Belarus. However, existing transit
tariff is already high, it accounts on international prices.
Anyhow, Georgia is blowing another bubble, lying about the accident on
the pipeline. Unfortunately, these bubbles are inflated with Armenia's
gas, disregarding the interests of the Armenian consumers.
From: A. Papazian
By Samvel Avagyan
news.am
Dec 2 2010
Armenia
On November 24, volumes of gas supplied to Armenia, declined.
Currently, gas is supplied via 700 mm diameter pipeline, the maximum
capacity of which is 4.5 million cubic meters a day. However, during
winter period gas consumption dramatically increase, making at least
6 million cubic meters a day, which can only be provided by a 1200
mm diameter gas pipeline. Thus, Armenia receives 1.5 million cubic
meters a day, less gas than needed.
NEWS.am reporter tried to find out at ArmRosGazprom, when Armenia
will start receiving necessary amount of gas and what is causing
the reduction of supply. The Public Relations department said that
Georgia's gas transporting company is conditioning reduction in
supplies by pipeline repair works without specifying any possible
time frame for completion of these works. ArmRosGazprom refused to
give other comments.
So we were not able to find out in what section of the gas pipeline the
accident occurred. Taking into account the work style of the Georgian
company, we would not be surprised if it turns out that they did not
consider it necessary to even notify their Armenian partner.
Independent expert Alexander Aramyan said that one week is sufficient
to eliminate even the most serious accidents, but it is already the
8th day that the gas pipeline is not operational. According to the
expert, Tbilisi spread misinformation on an accident. "There is no
accident, or the Georgian side is not actively working to fix it. In
all likelihood, Georgia once again tries to use the pipeline to put
pressure on Armenia", Aramyan told NEWS.am reporter.
It is likely that this pressure is connected with Georgia's intention
to sell the pipeline to the Azerbaijani gas company. This coincided
with the Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri's visit to Baku
on November 30, where he held talks with the Azeri SOCAR company.
SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev once again reminded the Georgian
minister, his readiness to buy Georgian section of the north -
south pipeline, which supplies gas to Armenia. It is noteworthy that
this section of the pipeline does not promise significant economic
dividends. Georgia gets only 10% of the gas supplied to Armenia in
exchange for transit from Russia.
It is also possible that Georgia wants to raise the transit fare,
perhaps, taking the example of Belarus. However, existing transit
tariff is already high, it accounts on international prices.
Anyhow, Georgia is blowing another bubble, lying about the accident on
the pipeline. Unfortunately, these bubbles are inflated with Armenia's
gas, disregarding the interests of the Armenian consumers.
From: A. Papazian