The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), with the participation of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), are arranging a financing package of $1 billion for a landmark offshore natural gas field project in Azerbaijan, Shah Deniz stage II, that is crucial for energy security and a common gas market in Europe. 

The development of the gas field will bring gas to south eastern Europe, a region subsantially dependent on coal and on gas from a single source of supply. The gas will be transported through a chain of pipelines—including the existing South Caucasus Pipeline which will be extended under the project—as well as through the planned Trans-Anatolian and Trans-Adriatic pipelines. This network of pipelines will transport the gas from Azerbaijan via Georgia and Turkey to Greece and Bulgaria, and on to Italy, from where it can reach wider Europe.

"This will be the largest gas field development project undertaken in Azerbaijan, generating more economic opportunities and helping to boost closer regional ties with Georgia and Europe,” said Michael Barrow, Deputy Director General of ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department. "ADB’s involvement has helped catalyze long-term bank financing support from commercial banks.” 

"This project is one of EU’s highest priorities for the energy sector. It is key for energy security because it diversifies routes and sources of gas supply,” said the EBRD Managing Director for Energy and Natural Resources, Riccardo Puliti. "It helps cut carbon emissions by providing a bridge fuel for renewables and replacing coal. The project will also be a very big step towards the market-based, hub pricing for gas which will bring Europe closer to a common gas market.” 

"Supporting regional cooperation and energy efficiency in the Black Sea region are strategic priorities for BSTDB. We are happy to contribute to this project demonstrating strengthened synergies among development partners to foster sustainable growth in our member countries,” said Igor Leshukov, BSTDB Vice President Banking.

The financing will be extended to Lukoil Overseas Shah Deniz Ltd, a subsidiary of Lukoil, which has a 10% interest in the Shah Deniz II gas field. 

EBRD and ADB will each lend $250 million to the project on their own accounts (A-loans), and BSTDB will provide a $60 million parallel A-loan alongside EBRD and ADB. The remainder of the financing will be provided by a group of commercial lenders, Bank of China, London branch; ING Bank N.V; Société Générale; and Unicredit Bank Austria AG, under the EBRD/ADB B-loan umbrella. One more commercial bank will join the syndicate at a later stage to complete the financing. 

The total cost of the Shah Deniz II development by the operating consortium of companies (BP, TPAO, Petronas, SOCAR, Lukoil, NICO and SGC) is expected to top $47 billion.

BP will build and operate the project facilities. Production from the project is expected to begin in 2018, and will help provide jobs for over 16,000 people through to 2022. 

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2014, ADB assistance totaled $22.9 billion, including cofinancing of $9.2 billion.

BSTDB is an international financial institution established by Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey, and Ukraine. The BSTDB headquarters are in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. BSTDB is rated long-term "A-” by Standard and Poor’s and "A3” by Moody’s. For more information, visit www.bstdb.org.

EBRD, owned by 64 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, is supporting the development of market economies and democracies. Follow us on the web, Facebook  and Twitter.