OREANDA-NEWS. January 21, 2011. Natural gas production of Azerbaijan declined in December 2010 by 17.1%.

The State Statistics Committee (SSC) informs that as of 1 January 2010 the country was produced 26.2 bn cu m of gas that is by 11.2% more against production for 2009.

In December 2010 the country produced 1.828 bn cu m versus 2.206 bn cu m in November, 2.29 bn cu m in October, 2.078 bn cu m in September, 2.195 bn cu m in August, and 2.286 bn in July (this year’s still best figure in 2010). The best index of 2009 was observed in April (3.27 bn cu m).

Country’s domestic gas consumption over 2010 made up 16.67 bn cu m that is by 2.1% more than the index of the 2009 index.

Since this October Azerbaijan has placed data on gas extraction by overseas contractors on secret list.

Nevertheless, for 2010 the state sector extracted 6.345 bn cu m (+2.1%) and private sector 10.327 bn cu m (+2.2%).

The Azerbaijan International Operating Company (AIOC), developing Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) oilfield block, Shah Deniz gas condensate field partnership and other private producers extracted 7.8 bn cu m of gas for Jan-Sep 2010 (+5.2%).

In September 2010 production by private producers totaled 1.9 bn cu m versus 800 million cu m in May-July, 900 million cu m in April and 1 bn cu m in March (last year’s best index still). The best indicator for 2009 was registered in March (1.028 bn cu m).

In 2009, gas production reached 23.58 bn cu m (+0.8%) and delivery 16.3 bn cu m (-0.1%). Private producers extracted 10.1 bn cu m of gas (+9%).

In 2008, the country produced 22.847 bn cu m of natural gas (+35.6% against the 2007 index), including 9.146 bn cu m (+66.1%) by private producers.