Southern Gas Corridor remains priority for EU

The implementation of the Southern Gas Corridor is a priority for the European Commission and its position in this regard did not change, a source in the Energy Department of the European Commission told Trend.

Russian Gazprom company reported that the construction of its South Stream gas pipeline, aimed to transport gas from Russia to the European union will start on December 7.

"The EU has nothing against South Stream but it has never been a European priority because it diversifies routes but not supply," the source said commenting the news about the start of construction.

He added that the EU Member State is free to choose its infrastructure project priorities as long as EU legislation is fully respected.

But the aim of the Commission has always been to open the Southern Gas Corridor for the EU in order to directly and physically link the EU gas market to the largest deposits of gas in the world in the Caspian Sea basin and the Middle East, the source added.

He said that the Southern Corridor intends to increase security of supply for European households and industry by diversifying gas sources and routes, thus minimising dependence on few suppliers and potential gas cuts.

The Southern Gas Corridor is a major energy project for the EU. It is intended to diversify routes and sources of supply. It is aimed at ensuring EU energy security. Gas which will be produced during the second stage of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development is considered as the main source for the Souther Gas Corridor projects.

Currently, the Shah Deniz consortium considers two options to deliver its gas to Europe - Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and Nabucco West. The final decision on a pipeline route will be made in 2013.

/Trend/