OREANDA-NEWS. June 17, 2009. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) lowered gas export from the country in May 2009 by 49.5% compared to April 2009.

the company informs that in May 2009 gas export made 50.86 million cu m versus 100.69 million cu m in April, 90.65 million cu m in March, 99.45 million cu m in February, 167.32 million cu m in January 2009 and 178.45 million cu m in December 2008.

For Jan-May 2009 it was exported 509.04 million cu m against 818.93 million cu m for 2008.

Since 1st September 2008 SOCAR did not indicate figures of its export partners, but for Jan-Jul 2008 it exported gas to Iran (for NICO) and Georgia (Neftegaz LLC and SOCAR Georgia Gaz).

In 2009 Georgia will remain the main destination for export gas of SOCAR where the latter bought 22 gas distribution networks (demand for gas is at the level of 300-400 million cu m). Georgia can also be sold around 700 million cu m.

Besides direct sales to Georgia, SOCAR also supplies gas for gas-distribution networks in Georgia managed by SOCAR subsidiary.