SOCAR to increase capacities of gas storages
By Nigar Abbasova
Azerbaijan’s state energy major SOCAR plans to increase capacities of its gas storages.
The department head at Azneft Production Union Rovshan Garayev said that the storages are strategic objects, which play a pivotal role in the regulation of demand for blue fuel in autumn-winter period, as well as in ensuring uninterrupted operation of main and export gas pipelines.
Garayev made the remarks while addressing a meeting dedicated to the activity of the company in 2016.
“Main components of our strategy are reconstruction, proper running of storages and use of brand-new technologies,” he said.
Currently, there are two underground gas storage facilities in Azerbaijan (Garadag and Kalmaz), the capacity of which is over 3.5 bcm of gas.
Kalmaz storage is located 75 km southeast of Baku and was put into operation in 1955, while Garadag storage is located 25 km southeast of Baku and it was launched in 1954.
Last year some 1.99 bcm of gas were pumped to the storages, allowing to make a reserve of some 2.97 bcm (given the residual volume).
To increase the capacity of storages Azneft works on reconstruction and expansion of its facilities. Besides, new gas wells will be designed, while the existing infrastructure will be upgraded.
The company plans to drill some 25 new wells in Garadag and 21 wells in Kalmaz storages. Also, a new compressor station with the operating pressure of 250 atmospheres will be constructed to bring the volumes up to 6 bcm.
The gas storage operation department of the PU, earlier decided to prepare a strategic development plan to expand the capacity of underground gas storage facilities.
The Islamic Republic of Iran curently considers the issue of pumping its gas to the underground storages of Azerbaijan. Gas consumption in Iran significantly increases in the winter season, therefore storage of Iranian gas in the gas storages of Azerbaijan is deemed to be an interesting offer for Iran.
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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova
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