Minister: Georgia Diversified Energy Supplies

Georgian Energy Minister Nika Gilauri said on January 17 that the country is currently receiving gas from three different sources ?for the first time in history.?

He said Georgia is importing gas from Russia via the North-South Gas Pipeline; from Azerbaijan via the old Soviet pipeline, which was rehabilitated in 2005; and from the BP-operated South-Caucasus Gas Pipeline, which will transport gas from Azerbaijani?s Shah-Deniz field to Turkey via Georgia.

?For the first time in Georgia?s history the country has three gas suppliers, meaning that we are receiving gas from three different pipelines, which is a significant part of the diversification of energy supplies,? Gilauri told reporters after the government session.

Georgia, according to the original agreement, will receive 250 million cubic meters from Azerbaijan’s Shah-Deniz field ? 200 million of which is a transit fee, with the additional 50 million to be bought at a preferential price in 2007.

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