Kulevi oil terminal finally opens
By M.Alkhazishvili
Wednesday, November 21
(Translated by Diana Dundua)
Kulevi oil terminal is due to start operating today, November 21, after the original opening ceremony was postponed due to the imposition of emergency rule.
The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) purchased the facility from well-known business tycoon and presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili last year.
In February 2007, Patarkatsishvili stated he sold the terminal “in order to restore the correct balance between our relations with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan,” after large Kazakhstani investment in Adjara province.
The terminal will operate at an initial capacity of ten million tons annually; SOCAR representatives predict capacity will rise to over 20 million tons in two years’ time.
The State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) purchased the facility from well-known business tycoon and presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili last year.
In February 2007, Patarkatsishvili stated he sold the terminal “in order to restore the correct balance between our relations with Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan,” after large Kazakhstani investment in Adjara province.
The terminal will operate at an initial capacity of ten million tons annually; SOCAR representatives predict capacity will rise to over 20 million tons in two years’ time.