Baku hosts Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition 2015

The 22nd International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition and Conference have kicked off in Baku today. 

 

More than 300 companies are taking part in the Caspian Oil and Gas exhibition this year. The exhibition area is taking up three pavilions of the Baku Expo Center. The event is divided into 3 sections: new technologies in oil extraction and energy resource transportation, storage systems for oil and gas, current and future oil and gas projects in the region and other important fields.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev attended a solemn opening ceremony of the exhibition. "These exhibitions are demonstrating Azerbaijan’s energy potential to the world," APA cited him as saying.

 

“The holding of the first exhibition in 1994 was very important. Azerbaijan has started to develop since that year. Azerbaijan had faced a crisis in 1992-93, there was a crisis in the oil industry. The first exhibition held in 1994 introduced Azerbaijan to the world,” the president reminded.“The interest in the exhibition has not reduced. Following the first Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in 1994, Azerbaijan developed its oil strategy. But it would be difficult to imagine Azerbaijan’s economy without our first oil contract, signed in 1994. Though Azerbaijan was considered a risky country at that time, the interests of both investors and Azerbaijan were coinciding. This provided for Azerbaijan’s development,” Ilham Aliyev noted."Azerbaijan's proven gas reserves stand at 2.6 trillion cubic metres. Works are underway in a few fields, and I believe that the proven reserves will be greater," the head of state said.“The processes going on in the EU energy policy indicate that Azerbaijan is accepted as an important partner. We know this and perceive our role and responsibility. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for Europe. All this will raise the level of relations between Europe and Azerbaijan. We want a format of strategic partnership to be established between Azerbaijan and the European Union,” he stressed.According to the president, this policy has redrawn the energy map of Europe. “This will strengthen our country, bring new political and economic dividends and improve the living standards in the country,” Ilham Aliyev said.

"The holding of the first exhibition in 1994 was very important. Azerbaijan has started to develop since that year. Azerbaijan had faced a crisis in 1992-93, there was a crisis in the oil industry. The first exhibition held in 1994 introduced Azerbaijan to the world," the president reminded.

"The interest in the exhibition has not reduced. Following the first Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition in 1994, Azerbaijan developed its oil strategy. But it would be difficult to imagine Azerbaijan’s economy without our first oil contract, signed in 1994. Though Azerbaijan was considered a risky country at that time, the interests of both investors and Azerbaijan were coinciding. This provided for Azerbaijan’s development," Ilham Aliyev noted.

"Azerbaijan's proven gas reserves stand at 2.6 trillion cubic metres. Works are underway in a few fields, and I believe that the proven reserves will be greater," the head of state said.

"The processes going on in the EU energy policy indicate that Azerbaijan is accepted as an important partner. We know this and perceive our role and responsibility. Azerbaijan is a reliable partner for Europe. All this will raise the level of relations between Europe and Azerbaijan. We want a format of strategic partnership to be established between Azerbaijan and the European Union," he stressed.

According to the president, this policy has redrawn the energy map of Europe. "This will strengthen our country, bring new political and economic dividends and improve the living standards in the country," Ilham Aliyev said.

 

"Azerbaijan once more demonstrated its leadership position in this field. Discussions on exporting Caspian gas to Europe were held for a long time. Azerbaijan took the key step of signing TANAP project with Turkey," he said.

 

"We started the TANAP project in March in Turkey. I’m sure that TANAP will be implemented after three years. Thus, Shah Deniz gas will be exported to Turkey and Georgia," the president said.

 

Ilham Aliyev also expressed the opinion that the TAP project will not face any serious difficulties. "The meeting of the Advisory Board of the Southern Gas Corridor showed that all parties perceive the responsibility. No one should try to get extra concessions here, because everyone will benefit from this project. Greece, Albania and other Balkan states are participants in the Southern Gas Corridor. This is an advantage, and several issues can appear at certain stages. These issues should be resolved through discussion. Gas transportation to Europe will start only when we face no artificial obstacles. This will be a great historical event for us. Azerbaijan will export its gas to Europe and Europe will have a new energy source," the head of state said.

 

UK Prime Minister David Cameron sent his greetings to the participants of the conference. The letter was read by Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow. "I highly appreciate the relations between our two countries. Azerbaijan’s energy reserves assume great importance in European energy supply," the British prime minister said.

 

"I am confident that this ambitious project will be realized. I am proud of BP’s participation in this project. The cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UK is important, especially in terms of energy. I am confident that this exhibition will play an important role in the development of relations," he concluded.