Azerbaijan to ups its role in EU’s energy security

The growth in oil and gas production in 2015 means increasing Azerbaijan's role to strength the EU energy security in coming years, SOCAR statement reported on Monday.

According to the information, the oil production will hit 50-55 million tons in 2015, gas production 30 billion tons.

The implementation of the projects on the hydrocarbon supply to Europe is even more important amid the experts' forecasts. Europe's energy consumption will be ensured by 70 percent by 2020, and by 2030 - by 85 percent. This will depend on imports.

According to the Azerbaijani State Statistical Committee, in 2011 Azerbaijan produced 45.37 million tons of crude oil and condensate, which is 10.5 percent less than the production in 2010.

The total volume of oil production last year fell to the block oil and gas fields Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli and Shah Deniz gas condensate field, which are developed jointly with foreign partners.

Gas production in 2011 in Azerbaijan was about 26 billion cubic meters, which is 2.2 percent less than in 2010. In 2010 the country produced 50.83 million tons of oil and 26.23 billion cubic meters of gas.