Baku, Kiev mull Azeri oil supplies to Ukrainian refineries

Ukraine is interested in supplies of oil from Azerbaijan to its refineries, Ukraine’s Minister of Energy and Coal Industry Yuriy Prodan told a news conference following the 4th informal meeting of the Eastern Partnership countries’ energy ministers.

Prodan said Ukraine has been negotiating with Azerbaijan possible oil supplies.

It is “a task of short-term,” he told reporters.

The Ukrainian official said the country’s refineries had not been working at full capacity, thus “we could quite quickly increase the processed amounts.” Oil supplies from Azerbaijan may grow next week already, he said, “if Azerbaijan’s oil company has available resources.” The minister chose not to quote exact amounts, adding the two countries could approach levels of earlier supplies of two million tonnes a year.

Another issue, Ukraine has been discussing with Azerbaijan was a possible involvement of Ukraine in the project of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline. “As yet, it is too early to discuss any details, details of the deal are being discussed now, including a possible share in the project. Since last year, the list of participants has been changing, and first of all those from the Azerbaijani said. Azerbaijan’s share is decreasing, and the shares of European companies are growing. It would be only logical to consider participation of other sides, too,” the minister said.

Bakudaily.Az