OREANDA-NEWS. January 05, 2011. President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has announced great progress of the country’s oil and gas sector in 2010.

In his appeal to fellow citizens President Aliyev claimed that in 2010 the country produced 51 million tons of oil and 27 billion cubic meters of gas.

"We contribute to solution of energy security issues worldwide. Azerbaijan is a very reliable partner, and our oil and gas resources strengthen the country and its economy, simultaneously our international positions," he said.

The president also focused on discovery of major gas field Umid in Azerbaijan in 2010.

"Azerbaijani oilmen discovered Umid to be great support to our energy potential. The discovery has already caused a great resonance in the world, and this event will be of great importance in view of the energy potential of Azerbaijan at world markets,” President Aliyev said.