By Samvel Avagyan
On November 24, volumes of gas supplied to Armenia, declined. Currently, gas is supplied via 700 mm diameter pipeline, the maximum capacity of which is 4.5 million cubic meters a day. However, during winter period gas consumption dramatically increase, making at least 6 million cubic meters a day, which can only be provided by a 1200 mm diameter gas pipeline. Thus, Armenia receives 1.5 million cubic meters a day, less gas than needed.
NEWS.am reporter tried to find out at ArmRosGazprom, when Armenia will start receiving necessary amount of gas and what is causing the reduction of supply. The Public Relations department said that Georgia’s gas transporting company is conditioning reduction in supplies by pipeline repair works without specifying any possible time frame for completion of these works. ArmRosGazprom refused to give other comments.
So we were not able to find out in what section of the gas pipeline the accident occurred. Taking into account the work style of the Georgian company, we would not be surprised if it turns out that they did not consider it necessary to even notify their Armenian partner. Independent expert Alexander Aramyan said that one week is sufficient to eliminate even the most serious accidents, but it is already the 8th day that the gas pipeline is not operational. According to the expert, Tbilisi spread misinformation on an accident. “There is no accident, or the Georgian side is not actively working to fix it. In all likelihood, Georgia once again tries to use the pipeline to put pressure on Armenia”, Aramyan told NEWS.am reporter.
It is likely that this pressure is connected with Georgia’s intention to sell the pipeline to the Azerbaijani gas company. This coincided with the Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri’s visit to Baku on November 30, where he held talks with the Azeri SOCAR company. SOCAR president Rovnag Abdullayev once again reminded the Georgian minister, his readiness to buy Georgian section of the north - south pipeline, which supplies gas to Armenia. It is noteworthy that this section of the pipeline does not promise significant economic dividends. Georgia gets only 10% of the gas supplied to Armenia in exchange for transit from Russia.
It is also possible that Georgia wants to raise the transit fare, perhaps, taking the example of Belarus. However, existing transit tariff is already high, it accounts on international prices.
Anyhow, Georgia is blowing another bubble, lying about the accident on the pipeline. Unfortunately, these bubbles are inflated with Armenia’s gas, disregarding the interests of the Armenian consumers.
