Azerbaijan Fuel

Over 80% of Azerbaijan's oil production currently comes from offshore, with a significant percentage coming from the shallow-water section of the Gunashli field, located 100 km off the Azeri coast. Development of new fields through joint ventures and PSAs in the Caspian Sea likely will boost Azerbaijan's oil production well beyond its earlier peak, with predictions that Azerbaijani oil exports could exceed 1.5 million bbl/d by 2010 and 2 million bbl/d within 20 years.
Currently, Azerbaijan's export routes are: the Baku-Novorossiisk pipeline ("northern route"), which sends Azeri oil to the Russian Black Sea, the Baku-Supsa pipeline ("western route"), which mainly carries AIOC's "early oil" from ACG to Georgia's Black Sea coast (Batumi) and the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline ("BTC"), main outlet for the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field in the Caspian. Oil products such as lubricants also are exported by rail in tank wagons to Georgia's Black Sea ports.
Exports through the northern route began at the end of 1997, exports on the western route started 1999, with BTC going on line in 2006 and quickly becoming Azerbaijan's main oil export route. Current production is 800,000 bbl/d, with 1.2 million bbl/d expected for 2008.
Azeri crude oil is refined domestically at two refineries: the Azerineftyag (Baku) refinery, with a capacity of 230,000 bbl/d, and the Azerneftyanajag (New Baku) refinery, which has a capacity of 212,000 bbl/d. With domestic production topping out at 311,200 bbl/d in 2001 (and half of that exported as crude oil), Azerbaijan's refineries have been running well below capacity, with overall refinery utilization rates as low as 40%. Heating oil accounts for approximately 50% of output at Azeri refineries, followed by diesel fuel (28%), gasoline (10%), motor oil (7%), kerosene (3%), and other products (2%). Both of the country's refineries are in need of modernization, which the Azeri government estimates will cost between $600 million and $700 million. Modernization of the two refineries will enable Azerbaijan to process imported crude oil, thereby freeing up domestic oil for export via the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.

Information on Azerbaijan fuel may also be found at the following links:  

Azerbaijan Fuel

 MY Travel Cost information for Azerbaijan (updated monthly)

For information on Azerbaijan Fuel contact details, please see the following link:

4.1 Azerbaijan Government Contact List

Fuel Pricing

Seasonal Variations 

Fuel Transportation

Internal transportation of fuel is carried out by pipes, railway and a fleet of tank vehicles. 

For information on Azerbaijan Fuel pipelines and transportation, please see the following documents:

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) Main Export Oil Pipeline

Baku-Novorossiysk Oil Pipeline

Baku-Supsa Western Export Pipelilne

Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum Gas Pipeline

Dubendi Terminal

Oil Railroad Transportation

Standards, Quality and Testing

Azerbaijan Transporters

For information on Azerbaijan Transporter contact details and fleet sizes, please see the following link:

4.7 Azerbaijan Transporter Contact List

Azerbaijan Additional Service Providers: Vehicle Rental, Taxi Companies, Freight Forwarding Agents, Handling Equipment, Power Generation and ISPs

For information on Azerbaijan Additional Service Provider Contact details, please see the following link: 

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List

Vehicle Rental

Most Azeri roads and streets are in such a state that it is practically impossible to break the speed limits, exception made for some avenues and streets in Baku which are kept in tip top shape (see map for main roads). Side streets and minor roads have all kinds of debris, open manholes, and are pot-holed, unmarked and unlit. Even in some areas in the center of the capital, streetlights are barely noticeable. Villages and rural areas are woefully under equipped with earth roads and puddles like great lakes.
Drivers pay little heed to traffic regulations, so expect a certain degree of artistic liberty when driving. Azeri driving behaviour is not incredibly dangerous nor aggressive, but don't depend on drivers to stay in their own lanes. Nor will they always pay attention to traffic signals or other drivers.
Note that "left-hand" turns across traffic are absolutely forbidden. You have to find a way to get to the other side of the street and then make a "right-hand" turn. Sometimes this means driving a kilometre or so out of your way and reversing direction. Sometimes, you'll find cars backing up a one-way street just so they can "legally" head in the direction they want to go. Drive defensively at all times.
Always carry your vehicle registration papers, passport and driver's licence. Also, make sure that your car's paperwork gives you authorization to drive it. An international driver's license is valid in Azerbaijan if you stay in the country for less than 4 months. After that, you'll need to get a stamp from the traffic police (79 S. Vurgun, tel. 984 002).
If a policeman signals you to pull over, he'll use a siren or point with a baton. Above all, stay calm and don't get out of the car. The officer will shake hands with you first, introduce himself, then ask for your license and car's documentation. Answer his questions, but don't volunteer information. Be ready to apologize. The officer may be looking for a bribe, but will eventually let you go without one. The police's obscure fines are more often than not, not for the local road fund, most are open to bribery to counteract their miserable wages.
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a very serious offence in Azerbaijan, so make sure that you have a replacement driver even if you plan to drink only a small amount of alcohol.

For information on Azerbaijan Rental Car Costs, please see the following document:

Rental Car Costs

Taxi Companies

Most taxis are unmetered. A journey anywhere within the city centre will cost 15,000 manats, though it is possible to negotiate much lower fares if you have the patience. Expect to be asked more if you dont't speak Azeri or Russian. Driving may be a little adventurous and rear seat belts do not abound.
Taxis do not generally accept foreign currencies. Make sure you have change before travelling as some drivers may not.
There are only two official taxi companies in Baku, use either the yellow Star cabs, or the white taxis with blue sign from Azerq Taxis. Those with blue license plates are officially licensed and are considered to be safer. You can book taxis by calling 62-15-15 or 62-12-44/7.

For information on Azerbaijan Additional Service Provider Contact details, please see the following link: 

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List

Electricity and Power 

system: 220 V, 50 Hz, double pins, european plug (non-continentals should bring adapters)
production: 23,80 billion kWh (2007)
consumption: 27,50 billion kWh (2007)
Power cuts are frequent, even in Baku, where people usually stock a few candles at home. The production facilities consist of eight thermal plants supplying 85% of generating capacity, and 6 hydroelectric plants. Two-thirds of the country's thermal capacity is powered by Mazut (residual fuel oil), with natural gas as the secondary fuel (2400MWt). The second largest thermal plant is in Ali Bayramly (1050MWt).
Azerbaijan's power infrastructure, built in the Soviet Period, is generally in poor condition. Since independence there has been scarce public investment or maintenance of public infrastructure. Difficult economic conditions, high taxes and non-payment by customers left the power sector without sufficient working capital and investment funds. Over half the country's turbo-generators and boilers and large sections of the distribution network have been in use for more than 40 years. Most energy generating and distribution equipment and parts are imported from Russia and the Ukraine, since they were originally part of the same system the parts are compatible and very price-competitive.
Although domestic production surpasses consuption, because of the country's inefficient distribution network, energy losses amounted to around 20% of the electricity that was generated. In order to supply electricity to all parts of the country, Azerbaijan imports power from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia, and the country participates in energy exchanges as well. Apart from hydroelectric power, renewable energies have no tradition in Azerbaijan but recently and agreement between Azerenerji and Sumitomo has been signed for a project for wind energy.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

High speed internet and IPTV services are provided to subscribers through BTCPA network. At present, 173,169 subscribers connected to the network, use the services of high speed internet through broadband connections (including 88 764 of them use Internet services from BTCPA, 84 405 - other ISPs). Taking into account the increasing demand for online services, the number of ADSL ports in BTCPA network increased to 232,246 units. Of these, 127,568 units (54.9%) are installed by BTCPA, 104 678 units (45.1%) - by other ISPs.Currently, 27.8% of BTCPA subscribers have access to high speed internet through a broadband connection.

The Internet started to develop in Azerbaijan in 1993. The first Azerbaijani website was created in 1994 by the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan, and the website of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, which was founded in 1997, became the first public Internet resource.
Administration of the national top-level domain AZ has been carried out since 1993.
From the first days the Internet developed by mainly private sector. Until 2000, the activities of Internet service providers (ISP) were conducted under a special permit (license), but in 2000 the licensing of such services was canceled, as a result of this any natural or legal person in the country is free to engage in the activity.
Currently, there are about 40 Internet service providers in the country, of which only three are state agencies (Aztelekomnet, Bakinternet and Azdatakom).
ISPs operate in a healthy competition and a free market environment.Companies use wired and wireless communication technologies for access to the Internet. Application of WiMax and other wireless technologies are expanded.
Connection of the country to the international Internet network is provided by two private companies (Delta Telekom and Azertelekom), which creates an alternative choice for ISPs.
All three mobile operators in the country provide its subscribers with high speed internet access and provide 3G services. In general, if we take into account the fact that mobile penetration in Azerbaijan exceeded 100%, then we can actually say that every person has access to the Internet.
The broadband access to the Internet in the country started in 2006, and in recent years there has been significant growth in the number of broadband internet users.
The main reason for this is the result of the execution of public policies carried out for the development of ICT sector in the country, the expansion of e-government projects, increasing the role of the Internet in rendering of services.

For information on ISP Provider contact details, please see the following links:

ISP Providers 1

ISP Providers 2

ISP Providers 3

ISP Providers 4

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List

Azerbaijan Telecommunications 

The Azerbaijan economy has been markedly stronger in recent years and, not surprisingly, the country has been making progress in developing ICT sector. Nonetheless, it still faces problems. These include poor infrastructure and an immature telecom regulatory regime. The Ministry of Communications & Information Technologies (MCIT), as well as being an operator through its role in Aztelekom, is both a policy-maker and regulator. A boom in oil and gas exports has boosted the economy, reducing the country’s dependence on international aid.

For information on Azerbaijan Telecommunications contacts and additional details, please see the following link:

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List

Azerbaijan Telecommunications Information

Procedure to obtain subscription: You can buy cards for use with different operators almost in every store.

Telecommunication Regulation

For information on Azerbaijan Telecommunications regulations, please see the following links:

 Azerbaijan Ministry of Telecommunications Website

Licensing Regulations

Licensing Regulations 2

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

For information on Azerbaijan Telecommunications licensing, please see the following links:

 Azerbaijan Ministry of Telecommunications Website

Telecommunications Certification Information

Telecommunications Standardisation Information

Telecommunications Standardisation Information 2

Azerbaijan Food Suppliers, Accommodation and Other Markets

Main Food Suppliers

For information on Azerbaijan Main Food Suppliers contact details,, please see the following links:

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List

Accommodation

For information on Azerbaijan Accomodation, please see the following links:

Azerbaijan24 Hotel Website

Azerb Hotel Website

Baku Hotels

Baku Hotels 2

4.8 Azerbaijan Additional Service Provision Contact List