We wish infrastructure relationship between Russia and Azerbaijan to keep developing.

Considerable changes are currently observed in the global energy market: new technologies for production, processing and transportation of crude hydrocarbons are emerging, the geography of global production and consumption of energy resources is changing, and countries are actively developing economic and energy relationships.  Nevertheless, Russia keeps holding one of the leading positions in the global turnover of energy resources by actively participating in the global trade and maintaining international cooperation in this area. Cooperation of the Russian Federation with the Caspian-Black Sea region countries has been growing for the past years. It certainly plays an important role in development of the economy of Azerbaijan. Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Alexander Novak spoke about tendencies of the Russian and global energy sector, bilateral cooperation and large-scale projects of the industry in his exclusive interview with Caspian Energy journal. 

Caspian Energy (CE): Why does Russia intend to build South Stream while the existing gas pipelines have not been filled yet?  Wouldn’t it be much simpler to join the international cooperation within the framework of the Southern Corridor? 

Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation: The South Stream gas pipeline will become a long-term solution of the energy security matter of Europe through connecting consumers of the South-East Europe with the largest world gas reserves that Russia possesses. This route will enable to diversify routes of Russian gas supply to Europe by increasing their reliability and intensifying the energy security level of the continent. 

Meanwhile, we proceed from continuous gas consumption growth in Europe.  All gas volumes that are planned to be supplied via South Stream gas pipeline have already been distributed. It means that the market requires this project. Direct connection of consumers with the largest gas resources of Russia will enable to fix much lower prices for gas compared to other options of delivery. 

Gas supply via South Stream pipeline is planned to be commenced in December 2015 along with further expected growth of volumes year by year.