Министр иностранных дел Азербайджанской Республики Джейхун Байрамов встретился с комиссаром Европейского Союза по защите климата Вопке Хукстрой в рамках 79-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН.

Как сообвщет  “Caspian Energy Media”, об этом говорится в сообщении на официальной странице МИД Азербайджана в соцсети X.

В ходе встречи были обсуждены вопросы сотрудничества между ЕС и Азербайджаном и приоритеты в рамках COP29.

Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, viewed the 5th Anniversary Azerbaijan International Defense "ADEX-2024" and International Exhibition for Internal Security, Safety and Rescue Equipment "Securex Caspian" exhibitions at the Baku Expo Center on September 24, Caspian Energy Media reports with reference to the official website of the President of Azerbaijan.

24 сентября Президент Азербайджанской Республики Ильхам Алиев ознакомился с проходящими в Бакинском Экспо-центре V юбилейной Азербайджанской международной оборонной выставкой ADEX-2024 и Международной выставкой внутренней безопасности, охраны и спасательной техники Securex Caspian.

Об этом сообщает “Caspian Energy Media” со ссылкой на официальный сайт главы Азербайджанского государства.

23 сентября 2024 года министр иностранных дел Азербайджанской Республики Джейхун Байрамов принял участие и выступил на "Саммите будущего", организованном в Генеральном штабе ООН в рамках участия в неделе высокого уровня 79-й сессии Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН.

Как сообщает “Caspian Energy Media” со ссылкой на МИД Азербайджана.

Министр обороны Казахстана генерал-полковник Руслан Жаксылыков прибыл в Азербайджан по приглашению министра обороны Азербайджана генерал-полковника Закира Гасанова для участия в 5-й Азербайджанской международной оборонной выставке ADEX-2024.

Об этом сообщает “Caspian Energy Media” со ссылкой на Министерстве обороны.

В рамках визита запланировано обсуждение военного сотрудничества, региональной безопасности и ряда других вопросов, представляющих взаимный интерес.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Monday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for talks in the US, Caspian Energy Media reports with reference to Anadolu Agency.

The closed-door meeting at the Turkish House came on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

No further information was disclosed about the meeting.

Unique not only from the geopolitical, economic and commercial but also from the legal standpoint ((there has not been such a form of agreement adopted in world practice within the former USSR), and having passed through all obstacles and stages of approval, the agreement on the joint development and production sharing for the Azeri and Chirag fields and the deep water portion of the Gunashli field was signed with the participation of 12 companies from 8 countries under the leadership of the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev  in Baku on September 1994. The contract was ratified by Milli Majlis on December 12, 1994. The first composition of the then Consortium was as follows: BP/Amoco plc.(Great Britain-USA) – 34.1267%, Exxon – 8.00006%, Pennzoil -4.8175%, Unocal -10.0489, Ramco – 2.0825%, Statoil -8.5633, Itochu – 3.9205, LUKOIL - 10%, SOCAR-10%, TPAO – 6.8, Delta – 1.68%.

Over 14 PSAs were signed further for performing offshore operations. Among them are the Shah Deniz and Absheron gas condensate fields.

It is noteworthy that this contract was signed twice - for the second time the updated agreement envisaging the development of fields till the end of 2049 was signed by the Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev on September 14, 2017. In the course of time, the share participation scheme in the contract underwent changes aside one time. Now, 30 years later, it still remains a world class project. The current share participation in the ACG project is as follows: bp (30.37%), SOCAR (25.0%), MOL (9.57%), INPEX (9.31%), Equinor (7.27%), ExxonMobil (6.79%), TPAO (5.73%), ITOCHU (3.65%), ONGCVidesh (2.31%).

Following the contract term extension, a decision to implement another new project on construction of the $6 billion Azeri Central-East (ACE) platform was made on April 19, 2019. It was another step in the development of ACG. ACE produced first oil on April 16, 2024.

At the end of the second quarter of 2024, capital expenditures on the development of the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) block of fields in the Azeri sector of the Caspian Sea totaled $45 billion. 

From the start of production at ACG in November 1997 until the end of the second quarter of 2024, 593 million tons (approximately 4.4 billion barrels) of oil were produced from ACG, ‘Respublika’ reports with reference to the field operator bp-Azerbaijan.          

From the start of production until the end of the second quarter of 2024, approximately 57 billion cubic meters of associated gas from ACG were delivered to Azerbaijan.

Since the ACG project started in 1994, BP and its partners have allocated about $111 million for the implementation of social projects in Azerbaijan.

At the end of the second quarter of 2024, operating at ACG were 144 production, 45 water injection and 8 gas injection wells.

As reported on the website of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, this contract became a turning point in the oil industry of Azerbaijan, which has a 150-year history, and the beginning of the implementation of the oil strategy in the newly independent Republic of Azerbaijan. Entering history as "the Contract of the Century", this international oil project was of exceptional importance in the protection and strengthening the independence of Azerbaijan.

The Contract of the Century laid the foundation for the implementation of other major projects in Azerbaijan. By implementing these projects, Azerbaijan found more reliable political and economic partners and allies across the world. Other areas of the Azerbaijani economy also witnessed the increase in the inflow of foreign investments after the signing of the contract. Right after signing of the Contract of the Century, concluded were 27 oil contracts with 43 companies from 21 countries, which envisaged investments worth $60 billion into the development of Azerbaijan’s oil industry (http://www.socar.gov.az/).

Following the signing of the Contract of the Century, in parallel with the continuation of negotiations on the contract, key operational bodies such as the Steering Committee, Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC) and the Advisory Council were established. Azerbaijan President’s special decree dated December 2, 1994 made the activity of those structures legally binding. 

Bp has been a single operator of AIOC since June 1999. The work program and budget for special projects of the AIOC are approved by SOCAR, the Azerbaijani government and the Steering Committee consisting of representatives of foreign oil companies.

Early oil production within the framework of the Contract of the Century began in November 1997, and based on the results of the year 2007, the production performance witnessed a monthly and annual increase within the framework of the project. For instance, Azerbaijan produced a record volume of 42.6 million tons of crude oil in 2007. Of that volume, SOCAR and international consortiums accounted for 8.8 million and 33.8 million tons, respectively. Compared to 2006, oil production rose by 33%, that is to say, by 10.3 million tonshttp://www.azerbaijan.com/).

In 2004, the parties to the Contract of the Century were  bp-34.14% (Great Britain), Unocal-10.28% (USA), SOCAR -10% (Azerbaijan), Inpex-10% (Japan), Satoil-8.56% (Norway), ExxoMobil -8% (USA), TPAO -6.75% (Turkiye), Devon-5.63% (USA), Itochu -3.92% (Japan), Delta Hess-2.72% (Saudi Arabia).

In 2002, the company LUKoil representing Russian in the consortium sold its 10% stake in the contract to the Japanese company INPEX for $1.375 billion.

The Baku-Novorossiysk and Baku-Supsa pipelines with a capacity of 5-7 million tons of oil per year were used until mid-2006 to export Azerbaijani oil to world markets. Nevertheless, in order to bring annual production at Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli to 50 million tons and deliver that oil to world oil markets, President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev proposed to consider a new export pipeline project possessing a much broader carrying capacity. In 1998, the route of the main export pipeline Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) was chosen as a profitable option. In September 2002, an oil pipeline foundation laying ceremony was held in Baku. In May 2006, the transportation of early Azerbaijani oil through the BTC pipeline began, which contributed to the accelerated development of the Azerbaijani economy. Considering the indispensable role that Heydar Aliyev played in the implementation of this project, the shareholders decided to name the BTC pipeline after him in 2004.

Since 2007, the Republic of Azerbaijan has begun to implement the policy of entering the global energy market not only as an exporter of crude oil, but also as a supplier of finished oil products. Thus, in 2007, Azerbaijani refineries processed 7 million 504 thousand tons of oil. And this is 0.7% or 53.4 thousand tons more than the annual figure in 2006. Construction of a new oil refinery with a capacity of 200 thousand barrels began in the Turkish port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean Sea, where Azerbaijani crude oil is delivered in large volumes. In spring of 2008, the Kulevi terminal belonging to the Republic of Azerbaijan was also launched in Georgia (http://www.socar.gov.az/).

The relevant infrastructure of Azerbaijan is very advantageous for the transportation of oil and natural gas from Central Asia to Europe.  SOCAR is one of the active participants of "Sarmatia" international pipeline company established with the aim to lay Odessa-Brody oil pipeline toward Plock (http://www.azerbaijan.com/).

At the signing ceremony of the "Contract of the Century," President of the Azerbaijan Republic Heydar Aliyev in his high estimation of the event said in his extensive speech: “I am happy to have participated in the drawing up and signing of this contract. I realise my responsibility and I am hopeful that future generations will appreciate today`s historic event.” In the next three years, Azerbaijan's oil and gas revenues are expected to decrease amid rising non—oil and gas revenues, the country's oil and gas revenues in 2024 will amount to 17.769 billion manats, in 2025 - 17.073 billion manats, and by 2028 they will decrease to 15.761 billion manats. Thus, by 2028, oil and gas revenues will decrease by 11.3% (by 2.007 billion manats) compared to 2024. This is reflected in the parameters of the consolidated and state budget for the year 2025 and subsequent years, published by the Ministry of Finance.

At the same time, non-oil and gas revenues will grow. In 2024, their volume will amount to 18.619 billion manats, in 2025 — 19.543 billion manats. By 2028, it is projected to increase to 23.992 billion manats. This is more than 28.8% growth (by 5.373 billion manats) compared to 2024. Thus, the growth of Azerbaijan's non-oil and gas revenues will exceed 28%.

On December 17, 2022, the governments of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania and Hungary signed an agreement on strategic cooperation in the field of development and transfer of green energy. One of the important points of the agreement was the Black Sea submarine cable project. Once implemented, a 1,195 km long cable (1,100km – subwater, 95km – onshore) will be linked to Romania. This will enable European countries to transport 4 GW of green energy from Azerbaijan.  

Important MoUs and agreements signed by Azerbaijan with international companies will allow us to produce up to 22 gigawatts of wind and solar energy. 

“Today Azerbaijan not only satisfies all its needs with energy but also exports crude oil, oil products, natural gas, petrochemicals, and electricity. Our program with respect to renewables has an entirely different agenda. Firstly, this sector has enormous potential. Secondly, it will help us to diversify our export and, of course, create a new ecologically-friendly sector of our economy”, President of Azerbaijan said.

The investment climate in Azerbaijan is very positive, and we accumulated considerable investments in the oil and gas sector. But now our target is renewables. So, in other words, we have great plans. According to President Ilham Aliyev’s order signed on September 19, 2024, September 20 will be annually celebrated as the State Sovereignty Day in the Azerbaijan Republic.

Türkiye is ready to further develop its "deep-rooted" relations with Germany, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday, Caspian Energy Media reports with reference to Anadolu Agency.

President Erdogan made the comments while receiving German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Turkish House on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly in New York to discuss bilateral relations, Israel’s attacks in Palestine, revitalizing Türkiye's European Union membership process, and regional and global issues.

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In his video address to the participants of the 12th International Caspian Energy Forum, EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi has noted that the conducted events offer a valuable platform for discussing a range of topics of paramount importance not only for the South Caucasus, but also for Europe and Central Asia. 

“Connecting our transport and energy networks have the potential to contribute to a more resilient and sustainable economies and to promote closer relations between our regions”, the EU Commissioner said, commenting transport and energy connectivity issues.

According to Olivér Várhelyi, located at the very center of the Trans-Caspian Corridor, the South Caucasus holds a strategic significance to ensure seamless connectivity between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea.

“Over the past years, the Trans-Caspian Corridor has been a significant trade route delivering freight from Central Asia to Europe. Recent projects show that trade volumes along the corridor are likely to triple by 2030”, Olivér Várhelyi noted.

In his address, the EU Commissioner offered to upgrade key transport connections between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea to shorten travel and transit times.

“We need to continue focusing on developing an integrated multi-modal and digitalized transport network with the EU. In this context, our Eastern Partnership Economic and Investment Plan will remain instrumental to complete the extended indicative core TEN-T network and the Black Sea Connectivity flagships projects. These projects aim at establishing ferry connections and supporting digital connectivity”, Olivér Várhelyi added.

He has also stated that the natural gas supply from the Caspian region, in particular Azerbaijan, to the EU is more important than ever. It became a key source of alternative to the Russian supply, and it could grow even bigger, with the capacity increase of the Southern Gas Corridor.

According to the EU Commissioner, the Caspian region has a renewable energy potential that can contribute to decarbonisation and can create new jobs, cleaner infrastructure and a more resilient future. “We strongly encourage you to fully use this potential.  The EU can offer know-how, technological expertise and financial support, as well as a very large and solvent market in need of cleaner energy”, Olivér Várhelyi pointed, saying “the Black Sea Electricity Cable, which is one of our key flagship projects under the Economic and Investment Plan, aims to create the conditions for trading in clean energy”.

“Stepping up the deployment of renewables, and particularly wind energy, has only become more important with the decision to organize COP 29 in Baku. The COP is an important window of opportunity, and my message to you is clear:  the EU stands ready to work with you to step up renewable energy deployment and green connectivity ahead of the conference”, the EU Commissioner concluded.

Caspian Energy Club is a dynamic and developing regional organization bringing together over 5,000 companies and organizations across 50 countries. As an active participant of the business-to-government dialogue, the major objective of Caspian Energy Club is to improve investment and business climate in Azerbaijan and in other countries where the Club operates, as well as to encourage and actively engage in B2G, B2B and B2C dialogues. 

Caspian Energy Club is an international business networking platform regularly conducting different events. Headquartered in Baku, Caspian Energy Club has representative offices operating in Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Great Britain, Germany, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Poland, Türkiye, UAE, Uzbekistan as well as authorized representatives around the globe.

Caspian Energy Club International was established in 2023 with the aim to manage international projects of Caspian Energy Club. Within 5 years Caspian Energy Club International plans to open offices in 100 countries across the world. One of the major functions of Caspian Energy Club International is to manage the Club’s activity in countries where no representatives are present, and work out a general strategy for all foreign offices.

Комиссар Европейского союза (ЕС) по вопросам соседства и расширения Оливер Вархели сделал видеообращение к участникам 12-го Международного «CaspianEnergyForum», в котором отметил, что проводимые мероприятия служат важной платформой для обсуждения ряда тем, имеющих первостепенное значение не только для Южного Кавказа, но также для Европы и Центральной Азии.

«Объединение наших транспортных и энергетических сетей может способствовать формированию более устойчивых и стабильных экономик, а также установлению более тесных отношений между нашими регионами», - отметил еврокомиссар, комментируя вопросы транспортной и энергетической связности.

По словам Оливера Вархели, расположенный в центре Транскаспийского коридора, Южный Кавказ играет стратегическую роль в обеспечении бесперебойного сообщения между Чёрным и Каспийским морями.

«В последние годы Транскаспийский коридор является важным торговым маршрутом, доставляющим грузы из Центральной Азии в Европу. Недавние проекты показывают, что объемы торговли вдоль коридора, могут утроиться к 2030 году», - отметил Оливер Вархели.

В своем выступлении еврокомиссар предложил улучшить ключевые пути сообщения между Чёрным и Каспийским морями и транспортное сообщение, чтобы сократить время в пути и транзита.

«Также необходимо продолжать развивать интегрированную мультимодальную и цифровизированную транспортную сеть с ЕС. Наш инвестиционно-экономический план для восточного партнерства останется важнейшим инструментом для завершения базовых флагманских проектов Трансъевропейской транспортной сети (TEN-T) и линий сообщения по Черному морю. Эти проекты направлены на создание паромного сообщения и поддержку цифровой связи», - добавил Оливер Вархели.

Он также заявил о том, что поставки природного газа из Каспийского региона, в частности Азербайджана, в ЕС как никогда важны. Эти поставки стали ключевым источником альтернативы российским поставкам и могут вырасти в масштабах с увеличением пропускной способности Южного газового коридора.

По словам еврокомиссара, Каспийский регион также обладает потенциалом использования возобновляемых источников энергии, который может способствовать декарбонизации и созданию новых рабочих мест, более чистой инфраструктуры и более устойчивого будущего. “Мы настоятельно рекомендуем вам в полной мере использовать этот потенциал. ЕС может предложить ноу-хау, технологический опыт и финансовую поддержку, а также очень большой и платежеспособный рынок, нуждающийся в более чистой энергии», - отметил Оливер Вархели и добавил, что Черноморский электрический кабель, который является одним из ключевых флагманских проектов ЕС в рамках Экономического и инвестиционного плана, направлен на создание условий для торговли чистой энергией.

«Активизация использования возобновляемых источников энергии, и в частности энергии ветра, приобрела еще большую значимость после принятия решения об организации COP29 в Баку. COP29 - это важное окно возможностей, и мое послание вам прозрачно и ясно: ЕС готов сотрудничать с вами, чтобы ускорить внедрение возобновляемых источников энергии и "зеленых" систем связи в преддверии конференции», - подытожил еврокомиссар.

«CaspianEnergyClub», объединяющий в своих рядах более 5000 компаний и организаций из 50 стран мира, был создан в июне 2002 года. Основная цель «CaspianEnergyClub», являющегося активным участником диалога «бизнес-власть», заключается в улучшении инвестиционной и деловой среды в Азербайджане и других странах, где осуществляет деятельность «CaspianEnergyClub», а также в стимулировании диалога в форматах «B2G», «B2B» и «B2C» и в активном участии в них.

«CaspianEnergyClub» является международной платформой для бизнес-нетворкинга и регулярно организует различные мероприятия. Основная деятельность «CaspianEnergyClub», штаб-квартира которого находится в Баку, охватывает страны Центрального коридора. «CaspianEnergyClub» также имеет официальные представительства в Великобритании, Германии, Грузии, Казахстане, Кыргызстане, Латвии, ОАЭ, Польше, Турции, Узбекистане, Финляндии, Чехии, Эстонии, а также полномочных представителей в различных странах мира.

«CaspianEnergyClubInternational» был создан в 2023 году с целью управления международными проектами «CaspianEnergyClub». В течении 5-ти лет «CaspianEnergyClubInternational» планирует создание физических офисов клуба в 100 странах мира. Одна из основных функций «CaspianEnergyClubInternational» является управление деятельностью клуба в странах, которых не назначены представители, а также формирование общей стратегии для всех зарубежных офисов.