For some Reasons Restoration of Armenia-Russia Gas Pipe-Line Delayed in Georgia

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS: Starting from November 24, the volume of the gas, provided to Armenia through the territory of Georgia, was reduced. The Georgian side stated that the main gas pipe with a diameter of 1200 mm is being restored. In the result, the gas stream was brought into a smaller gas pipe with a diameter of 700mm. Because of this, a smaller volume of gas – over 4500 sq m- can stream now.

In answer to the inquiry by Armenpress about the timeframe, during which it will be possible to restore the gas provision fully, ‘ArmRosGasProm’ CJSC attributed to the Georgian gas-transport company’s November 30 letter, in which the company assured that all the necessary measures were undertaken for the restoration of the pipe-line. No any information on the schedule of the works was mentioned in the letter.

‘ArmRosGasProm’ CJSC did not comment. Taking into account the cases, registered earlier, the fact that the most complicated accident restoration works were carried out within a few days and also that no any information on the format of the works is provided this time, one can cast doubt on the current situation. It is known that the oil company of Azerbaijan is interested in buying the Georgian side of the Armenia-Russia gas-pipe line.

According to the Azerbaijani ‘Trend’ agency, it is possible that the Azerbaijani Government will display interest in the assets of the Georgian side of the Armenia-Russia gas-pipe line in case Georgia privatizes it. The 10% of the gas, provided by Russia, remains in Georgia as a duty fee. Experts do not exclude that the recent steps by Georgia have an intention to increase the tariff for the transportation of the gas.