Azerbaijan gas production up 37.5% in 5 mths

Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), the operator for Azeri-Chirag, and Gunashli fields, produced 1.2237 billion cubic meters of gas, up 170%, a source at the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) told Interfax.

SOCAR's own production grew 0.3% to 1.6395 billion cubic meters in the period. The company's oil and gas production divisions produced 1.592 billion cubic meters, up 0.8%. Production by joint ventures and operating companies working at inland fields totaled 48 million cubic meters, down 14.3% from January-May 2005.

Associated gas produced by AIOC under the full-scale development of Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli fields is transferred to Azerbaijan free of charge.