Ukraine expresses interest in TANAP project

Ukraine Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has announced Ukraine’s interest in the Trans Anatolian pipeline project (TANAP). During a meeting with Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan this week, Azarov said that Ukraine is prepared to participate in the project, wishing to make “both a financial contribution and provide pipes and compressor stations.”

Energy and Coal Industry Minister Eduard Stavytsky said, “Ukraine’s involvement in TANAP is now being considered. We have proposed an option of participation as both the investment component and the involvement of our companies in producing pipe, and also a new branch factoring in our gas transport system and out storage facilities in western Ukraine.

Ukrainian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alexander Mischenko told reporters that energy resources diversification is a top priority for Ukraine, “Azerbaijan has large energy reserves. We are interested in projects involving energy interests such as the TANAP project designed to ensure the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to Europe.”

TANAP is currently under construction by just two counties, Azerbaijan and Turkey. The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), however, said that it would divest some of its 80% share to other parties.

TANAP is just one of a number of projects Ukraine has expressed an interest in recent times in a bid to move its supply away from Russian major Gazprom. Last month, Azarov said that Ukraine was interested in participating in the Trans-Caspian pipeline. In a meeting with the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, he said that Ukraine was ready to fund up to 10% of the pipelines cost.

Edited from various sources by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/18112013/ukraine_expresses_interest_in_tanap_project/