Caspian Energy Investor ¹ 18 (207)     25 May 2006


ACCENT


  • AKTAU-BAKU SYSTEM IS A PERSPECTIVE DIRECTION FOR KAZAKH OIL EXPORTATION


    AZERBAIJAN AND KAZAKHSTAN CLOSE TO SIGNING THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT ABOUT KAZAKHSTAN’S JOINING THE BTC PIPELINE SYSTEM

    Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are going to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement (IA) about Kazakhstan’s joining the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline system. To date almost all aspects of the agreement have already been coordinated, however the sides call various dates of singing. Anyway, the date when the first tanker with the Azerbaijan oil will solemnly leave Turkish port Ceyhan on July 13 remains fixed. Iran is discontented with the project, but Israel is ready to join it.


  • GUAM TRANSFORMED INTO A NEW ORGANIZATION


    During the Summit (May 23) of GUAM countries-members, this organization was announced to be transformed into the international organization “Organization for democracy and economic cooperation – GUAM with the headquarters in the capital of Ukraine.


  • CIBC PRACTICAL CONFERENCE HELD IN BAKU


    The practical conference of the Caspian Integration Business Club (CIBC) to the theme: “Outlooks on entrance of Azerbaijani companies to the markets of the CIS and Baltic countries” was held on May 18 in the Baku Entertaining Center.


    • EXCLUSIVE


  • “WE HAVE SERIOUS INTENTIONS TO EXPAND GAS SUPPLY FROM SHAH DENIZ FIELD”, ZURAB GUMBERIDZE SAID
    GEORGIA PLANS TO BRING THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF BLACK SEA TERMINALS TO OVER 25 MILLION TONS A YEAR

    “We raised the trade turnover with Azerbaijan by almost 2 times. But now we consider this level does not correspond to potential opportunities of our states,” the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Georgia to Azerbaijan, Zurab Gumberidze told in the exclusive interview to Caspian Energy Investor.


  • POLAND IS INTERESTED IN LAUNCHING OF THE CASPIAN PIPELINES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
    I think that the total commodity turnover between our countries will not go down. According to our forecasts, it will remain at least on the same level. Moreover, the majority of goods to be imported to Poland this year will be imposed either zero duties or very low rates on various commodities. I hope this fact will be the asset to development of the economic relations between our countries, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Poland to Azerbaijan, Mr. Krzysztof Krajewski told in the exclusive interview to Caspian Energy Investor.


    • CASPIAN REGION


  • Kazakhstan



  • KAZAKHSTAN RAMPS UP ITS HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL


    The hydrocarbon reserves of Kazakhstan keep on attracting investors. So, Russia has defined its priorities regarding this country and lays hands on Kazakh gas and oil.


  • Turkmenistan


  • Russia



    • CASPIAN ECOLOGY




    GAS


  • UKRAINE-RUSSIA: NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS


    The Ukrainian Government has approved double rise in gas prices for the population, budget and communal organizations from July 1. It seems that Ukraine does not have hope to reach understanding with Russia and decided to prepare population of the country for a worse variant. As is known, the gas agreement signed between Ukraine and Russia on January 4, 2006 that fixed the price on the level of 230 USD during the first half of this year. Thus, the sides are going to discuss prices for the second half of the year during the expected negotiations. The Government of Ukraine made this decision because of the position of Gazprom, its adherence to principles and ability to insist on its conditions even if the Company will have to deprive almost all Europe of gas. Kiev with its rich bitter experience understands the current situation and prepares for worse. The present positions and permanent statements of the sides once more witness that the tense situation will become much heated. Gazprom is not going to yield to the brothers Slavs and intends to set the price on the level of 230 USD per 1,000 m3 in the second half of the year. Official Kiev guided by the agreement dated from January 4 proves it is impossible.


    • TRANSPORTATION


  • Caspian ports


    • ECONOMY


  • KAZAKHSTAN KEEPS ON ATTRACTING INVESTMENTS


    GROWTH OF GDP AND INVESTMENTS IN ECONOMY OF KAZAKHSTAN EXCEEDED FORECASTED INDICATORS

    Kazakhstan keeps on attracting investments in its economy. In IQ 2006 the total growth of investments in economy exceeded approximately 1,5 times compared to the previous year. The investment growth observed during the last years stimulated significant growth of GDP. The investment portfolio consists of 135 projects approved for financing.

    • ECONOMY


  • 5TH JUBILEE AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT, TRANSIT & LOGISTICS EXHIBITION HELD IN BAKU
    The 5th International Transport, Transit & Logistics Exhibition “Trans-Caspian 2006” was held in Baku (May 17-19) celebrating it first jubilee. The exhibition has acquired the status of an important transportation forum in the Caucasus. It is the asset to development of the transport infrastructure in Azerbaijan, shows priority directions of the transport strategy of the republic and contributes to upgrading of the transport structure in the country by attracting foreign investors.

  • NEXT CASPIAN OIL&GAS EXHIBITION TO BE HELD IN BAKU


    The 13th annual exhibition “Oil & gas, oil procession and petrochemistry of the Caspian Sea” (Caspian Oil&Gas 2006) will be held in Baku on June 6 - 9. ITE Group Company and its partner in the Caspian region Iteca Caspian are the organizers of this exhibition.


    • SOCAR


  • Drilling


    • COMPANIES



    WORLD MARKET


  • OPEC CANNOT COPE WITH GROWTH OF PRICES AT THE OIL MARKET


    OPEC INTENDS TO PRESERVE PRESENT “JUST” OIL PRICES

    OPEC cannot cope with the growth of prices at the oil market because geopolitical factors influence the cost situation.