SOCAR has difficulties in oil exporting via Novorossiysk

Transneft changed the order for applying to pump the oil through the Baku-Novorossiysk oil pipeline. Earlier SOCAR applied quarterly for pumping the oil, and Transneft approved it, in its turn. Now Transneft announced, it could notify the Azerbaijani side only in the last decade of each month on the volumes, the company could accept in Novorossiysk the next month.

«It calls into question our tenders announcement for oil shipment from Novorossiysk. 5-7 days are not sufficient for preparation of the oil export in the forthcoming month”, SOCAR pointed out.

For the III quarter of 2005, SOCAR applied for and Transneft approved pumping of 1,15 million tons of Azerbaijan’s oil: in July – 330,000 tons and per 410,000 tons in August and September. «As for July, it is all right. However, for August Transneft declared us, it cannot accept 410,000 tons of oil approved earlier. It becomes clear the Company is able to accept only 388,000 tons of oil. The similar situation is supposed to be in September”, SOCAR said.

The result is that Transneft stated, Azerbaijan does not fulfill its commitments, pumping only per 388,000 tons per month instead of promised 410,000 tons. "It looks, as if we are being squeezed out from Novorossiysk”, SOCAR summarized.