Energy security expert Vahe Davtyan writes:
Azerbaijan is at the center of the International Oil Scandal, which can also be a signal of geopolitical developments.
Two leading European energy giants, the British BP and Italian Eni have simultaneously announced the qualitative issues of Azerbaijani oil. Some of the peeps arrived in the city of Ceyhan stopped loading. As a result, the price of Azeri Light dropped sharply.
The reason is the high level of Azeri Light oil pollution, in particular, the presence of organic chlorides that can damage oil refining systems. Chlorides are used to increase oil extraction volumes.
BTC CO company, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, denies the allegations.
It is noteworthy that the first AZERI LIGHT Pollution announced the BP, which in 1994. Since the century deal, Azerbaijan's key energy partner is a direct beneficiary of the Azerbaijani oil and gas complex (30.1% of the same BTC CO belong to BP).
Aside, the fact that the quality of Azerbaijani hydrocarbons, in particular, decreased the quality of premial Azeri Light, should not be ruled out that many deeper developments are underway under all this.
First of all, Azerbaijan's growing role in European markets is problematic for a number of Western Energy companies. For the same Italian ENI, the sharp increase in Azerbaijan's role is worrying.
Being the main importer of Azerbaijani oil in Europe, Italy lit a green light in energy infrastructure for Azerbaijani investments. In fact, there is a manifestation of private-state contrast here. The Italian government intenses the energy dialogue with Baku (in January-June 2010 increased by 59.6%), while ENI's private owners, which belong to 70% of the company's shares, expect more protectionist steps from the authorities to benefit from the authorities in favor of the Italian company.
At the same time, the continuous increase in the weight of the Azerbaijani oil also hits the US interests in the European market. I will remind you that during 2022, the United States has sharply exported its hydrocarbons, justifying it as a factor in ensuring NATO's viability. To capture the European Energy Market, Trump out of the Paris Treaty of Climate, as well as adopted a policy of comprehensive support to US oil and gas companies.
How does Azerbaijan's oil promotion contradict BP's interests?
To answer this question, we need to move to BP-Turkey, the number of ties over the age of 113. The leadership of the de facto managed BP has repeatedly stated that Turkey is of strategic importance for the company. In fact, Turkey is losing its influence in Azerbaijan today. Receiving Artsakh, Aliyev clan tries to pursue a more independent and sovereign foreign policy, no longer agreeing separately with Ankara, as it has been done for years. Today, Turkey's influence in Azerbaijan is overestimated. This can explain the oil club used against Baku, returning to Turkey's direct impact on Turkey (infect London), to make Aliyev more predictable (including Israel, Iran, Russia and other key players).
By the way, about the oil club,
S.T. In January-June, Turkey reduced its importance from Azerbaijan by 81%.
