Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 9
By Anakhanum Khidayatova – Trend:
Israel’s Ambassador in Baku Dan Stav says his country can join the Southern Gas Corridor – a project designed to deliver Azerbaijani gas to Europe.
Speaking to Trend on Dec. 9, Ambassador Stav said there were talks on possibility for Israel to join the Southern Gas Corridor.
“There is certainly a prospect for that,” he said. “We do attach a lot of importance to Azerbaijan in the energy field.”
Stav added that this issue can be seriously considered once the energy regulation and policy get approved in Israel.
The Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) is a priority project for the EU. It is designed to transport the Caspian region’s gas to Europe through Georgia and Turkey. At the initial stage, the gas to be extracted during the second phase of development at Azerbaijani gas condensate field Shah Deniz is considered to be the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor. At a later stage, other sources may join the project.
“If we can fit in it [Southern Gas Corridor] for benefit of all the sides, then let it be,” he said.
The ambassador also noted that there are certain technical and political issues that need to be overcome before his country joins the project for Southern Gas Corridor.
He said Israel lacks the experience that Azerbaijan has gained over many years of oil production, since gas companies first explored the substantial amounts of gas in the Mediterranean in around 2009-2010.
Israel has in recent years discovered the Leviathan, Tamar, and Dalit gas fields. It plans to export some part of the gas from these deposits.
“We were a bit slow in formulating the policy regarding gas. This is due to that it was the first gas exploration around the State of Israel,” added the ambassador.
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