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BP joins the list of Azerbaijan's enemies
Ilham Aliyev becomes increasingly unpredictable for the international
community, and there is nothing left but pull him up.
British Petroleum (BP) has joined the list of `ill-wishers', or even
enemies or Ilham Aliyev and the whole independent Azerbaijan. Aliyev
accused the company of drastic reduction of oil production in Caspian
shelf Azeri and Chirag oil fields.
October 13, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking at a governmental session discussing the
outcomes of the country's social-economic development in the first
nine months of the current year, Aliyev declared: `Numerous mistakes
of the consortium resulted in drastic decrease of oil production in
Azeri and Chirag oil fields over the past years', adding that the
decline was recorded since 2008. The president claimed that the
volumes of the distributed profitable oil were altered to make 75/25
in Azerbaijan's favour, and noted that Azerbaijan received $8,1billion
less income. Aliyev went further to stress that `erroneous forecasts
are unacceptable' and `such relations are impossible in the
international business'.
However, BP is not to blame for this - ten years ago experts stated
that reserves of Baku oil are not endless, expected to be exhausted by
2017. The administration of Azerbaijani president took no heed to the
voice of reason and is now actually paying for its mistakes. British
Petroleum has nothing to do with this; Aliyev will blame another
company next, then SOCAR's turn will come as well.
The problem seems to have a quite different aspect. Ilham Aliyev
becomes increasingly unpredictable for the international community,
and there is nothing left but pull him up. Still, nobody will rebuke
him too toughly: presidential elections are due in almost a year. It
may also `turn out' during this year that Baku uses another Caspian
sector, in particular, Turkmenistan's and Iranian one, for oil
production. And if the West may forgive infringement of Iranian oil,
it will hardly overlook the use of Turkmenistan's one.
It is worth reminding that Baku fixed its eyes on Turkmenistan in
early July. The reason lies in the Caspian oil fields; both Azerbaijan
and Ashgabat claiming ownership of these. Turkmenistan's Foreign
Ministry disseminated a press release saying: `The Foreign Ministry of
Turkmenistan declares that official diplomatic notes have repeatedly
been sent to Azerbaijan with regard to Azerbaijan's unilateral illegal
actions in Caspian Sea, namely the illegal development of Omar and
Osman oil fields, as well as unlawful claims on Serdar oil field.'
In its official statement, Turkmenistan voiced its readiness to
continue the negotiation process over the issue above, emphasizing
that in case no bilateral agreement is reached, Turkmenistan reserves
the right to address the international court and arbitration
instances.
In addition, on August 4, 2009 Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry
published the country's official stance on the Caspian Sea bed
delimitation, which also mentioned the expediency of applying to the
International Court.'
Meanwhile, all countries of the basin are building up their military
potential, and all talks may simply end up in hostilities between
them. Currently the major challenge of the region is namely the
Caspian issue, and to some extent, the Karabakh conflict resolution
depends on how it will be settled. Baku faces another danger as well -
the indigenous nations of Azerbaijan, Talysh, Lezgian, Udi people
which constitute the main staff of Azerbaijani armed forces. They will
hardly believe Baku's promises again and fight for alien interests.
Aliyev is now threatening BP whose power and influence cannot be
compared to ambitions of official Baku. So, there are two options
here: oil companies will either increase the oil production, which is
unreal, or they will gradually withdraw the assets. The latter seems
more feasible. Despite this, the big game is still to come, and
Aliyev's future depends more on Iran that on the West; unlike Erdogan,
Iran will not be too polite with its `fellow Muslims'.
Karine Ter-Sahakian
Ilham Aliyev becomes increasingly unpredictable for the international
community, and there is nothing left but pull him up.
British Petroleum (BP) has joined the list of `ill-wishers', or even
enemies or Ilham Aliyev and the whole independent Azerbaijan. Aliyev
accused the company of drastic reduction of oil production in Caspian
shelf Azeri and Chirag oil fields.
October 13, 2012
PanARMENIAN.Net - Speaking at a governmental session discussing the
outcomes of the country's social-economic development in the first
nine months of the current year, Aliyev declared: `Numerous mistakes
of the consortium resulted in drastic decrease of oil production in
Azeri and Chirag oil fields over the past years', adding that the
decline was recorded since 2008. The president claimed that the
volumes of the distributed profitable oil were altered to make 75/25
in Azerbaijan's favour, and noted that Azerbaijan received $8,1billion
less income. Aliyev went further to stress that `erroneous forecasts
are unacceptable' and `such relations are impossible in the
international business'.
However, BP is not to blame for this - ten years ago experts stated
that reserves of Baku oil are not endless, expected to be exhausted by
2017. The administration of Azerbaijani president took no heed to the
voice of reason and is now actually paying for its mistakes. British
Petroleum has nothing to do with this; Aliyev will blame another
company next, then SOCAR's turn will come as well.
The problem seems to have a quite different aspect. Ilham Aliyev
becomes increasingly unpredictable for the international community,
and there is nothing left but pull him up. Still, nobody will rebuke
him too toughly: presidential elections are due in almost a year. It
may also `turn out' during this year that Baku uses another Caspian
sector, in particular, Turkmenistan's and Iranian one, for oil
production. And if the West may forgive infringement of Iranian oil,
it will hardly overlook the use of Turkmenistan's one.
It is worth reminding that Baku fixed its eyes on Turkmenistan in
early July. The reason lies in the Caspian oil fields; both Azerbaijan
and Ashgabat claiming ownership of these. Turkmenistan's Foreign
Ministry disseminated a press release saying: `The Foreign Ministry of
Turkmenistan declares that official diplomatic notes have repeatedly
been sent to Azerbaijan with regard to Azerbaijan's unilateral illegal
actions in Caspian Sea, namely the illegal development of Omar and
Osman oil fields, as well as unlawful claims on Serdar oil field.'
In its official statement, Turkmenistan voiced its readiness to
continue the negotiation process over the issue above, emphasizing
that in case no bilateral agreement is reached, Turkmenistan reserves
the right to address the international court and arbitration
instances.
In addition, on August 4, 2009 Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry
published the country's official stance on the Caspian Sea bed
delimitation, which also mentioned the expediency of applying to the
International Court.'
Meanwhile, all countries of the basin are building up their military
potential, and all talks may simply end up in hostilities between
them. Currently the major challenge of the region is namely the
Caspian issue, and to some extent, the Karabakh conflict resolution
depends on how it will be settled. Baku faces another danger as well -
the indigenous nations of Azerbaijan, Talysh, Lezgian, Udi people
which constitute the main staff of Azerbaijani armed forces. They will
hardly believe Baku's promises again and fight for alien interests.
Aliyev is now threatening BP whose power and influence cannot be
compared to ambitions of official Baku. So, there are two options
here: oil companies will either increase the oil production, which is
unreal, or they will gradually withdraw the assets. The latter seems
more feasible. Despite this, the big game is still to come, and
Aliyev's future depends more on Iran that on the West; unlike Erdogan,
Iran will not be too polite with its `fellow Muslims'.
Karine Ter-Sahakian