Uchenna Izundu
International Editor
LONDON, Sept. 20 -- Azerbaijan will provide gas for the proposed Nabucco gas pipeline under a memorandum of understanding signed Sept. 20 by Austrian and Azeri government officials.
Austria Minister of Economics Martin Bartenstein signed the MOU with Azeri Minister of Industry and Energy Natiq Aliyev to begin talks between OMV AG and Azerbaijan's state oil company Socar.
Socar plans to deliver gas to the Baumgarten hub near Vienna via Nabucco. Deliveries are scheduled for 2012, but no details were given on volumes.
The MOU said Azerbaijan is in the position to play a leading role in the transport of gas from the Caspian region to Europe.
OMV, which is leading on the Nabucco proposal, has opened an office in Baku to strengthen its relationship with the country. Wolfgang Sporrer, who previously headed the European Union's Europa House in Baku, will head the representative office.
Contact Uchenna Izundu at [email protected].