Baku–Supsa Pipeline
Baku–Supsa Pipeline | |
---|---|
Operator | BP |
Commissioned | 1999 |
Technical information | |
Length | 833 km (518 mi) |
Maximum discharge | 145,000 barrels (23,100 m3) per day |
The Baku–Supsa Pipeline (also known as the Western Route Export Pipeline and Western Early Oil Pipeline) is an 833-kilometre (518 mi) long oil pipeline, which runs from the
History
The preparations for the pipeline's construction started in 1994. On 8 March 1996, President of Azerbaijan
The oil transportation by the pipeline was stopped on 21 October 2006 after abnormalities were revealed during the inspections on the pipeline.
After a major explosion and fire, which closed the
In July 2015 Russian troops demarcating the de facto border of the self-proclaimed Republic of South Ossetia, pushed forward the border line near the village of Orchosani[9] and thereby taking control over a short length of the pipeline.[10] Analysts suggest that this was a Russian reaction to dissuade Georgia from making further moves towards joining NATO. [11] While conceding that the pipeline might need to be diverted in the future, a Vice President of SOCAR reportedly denied any short term need for such concern.[12]
In June 2022, BP rerouted oil from the pipeline to the much bigger Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline due to security concerns.[13]
Technical features
Essentially, the Baku–Supsa pipeline is a refurbished Soviet era pipeline with several newly built sections. It has six pumping stations and two pressure reduction stations in western Georgia. The four storage tanks at the Supsa terminal have a total capacity of 160,000 cubic metres.[14] The capacity of the pipeline is 7.2 million tons a year[13] (145,000 barrels per day (23,100 m3/d)) with proposed upgrades to between 300,000 to 600,000 barrels per day (48,000 to 95,000 m3/d).
From 1999 to 2016, 76.3 million tons of oil were transported through the pipeline.[15] In 2021, it carried 4.2 million tons.[13]
The cost of transporting one ton of oil through the pipeline is $3.14 (2016), out of which Georgia gets a $1.2 share and Azerbaijan gets the rest.[15]
See also
- Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan pipeline
- Baku–Novorossiysk Pipeline
- Energy in Georgia (country)
References
- ^ BP site
- ^ "Transport routes of Azerbaijani oil (Baku-Novorossiysk, Baku-Supsa)". Azerbaijan Portal. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ "Oil pumping by Baku-Supsa pipeline to resume in May". Today.Az. 2008-04-17. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ "Baku-Supsa pipeline to be launched after repair". Today.Az. 2008-06-05. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ "BP diverts Ceyhan crude as fire still burns". Upstream Today. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- ^ "BP shuts in Georgia links". Upstream Today. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- ^ "Supsa Terminal and Pipeline, Georgia - Hydrocarbons Technology". www.hydrocarbons-technology.com. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
- ^ "BP resumes oil flows via Baku-Supsa pipeline". Reuters. Retrieved 2012-06-16.
- ^ In Business Insider, Orchosani is named as the village near the 'lost' section of pipeline
- ^ "EU warning over Russia 'land grab' in South Ossetia border row". BBC. 2015-07-16. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
- ^ Jamestown analysis of Russia's reasoning
- ^ APA reported: "“Even the routes of Baku-Supsa pipeline are not changed, this will not cause any problem for the pipeline”, SOCAR vice-president on investments and marketing Elshan Nasirov said."
- ^ a b c "Ukraine war forces closure of Azerbaijani oil export pipeline | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org.
- ^ "Supsa Terminal and Pipeline, Georgia / Azerbaijan". Hydrocarbons Technology. Retrieved 2008-06-08.
- ^ a b "Baku-Supsa pipe's contribution to economic development of Azerbaijan, Georgia highlighted". AzerNews.az. 2016-05-16. Retrieved 2022-04-04.