BTC Construction Halted in Western Georgia

The British Petroleum (BP) company, which heads the construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline, has suspended construction works in the Borjomi valley of western Georgia for two weeks as requested by the Ministry of the Environment of Georgia.

“We are seeking the observation of stricter environmental safety measures. The Borjomi district is of vital importance, due to its natural resources and location. Thus, we are demanding additional safety guarantees,” Minister for the Environment Tamar Lebanidze said at a news briefing on July 23.

The Minister also said that the request does not envisage a long-term suspension of the project or the changing of the route.

“We are complying with the Georgian government’s request and have suspended the construction works temporarily,” spokesperson of the BP Tbilisi office Rusudan Medzmariashvili told Civil Georgia on July 23.

“Construction activities are ongoing in all other sectors,” she added. 

The Georgian Ministry plans to survey the situation over the next two weeks in order to further determine a plan of action.

The U.S.-backed and BP-led strategic BTC pipeline envisions the transport of Azeri oil to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Ceyhan via Georgia. Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to be completed in 2005.