SOCAR advances gasification efforts in Khankendi, surrounding districts

In a 2024 annual report, the State Oil Company of the Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) outlined significant progress in expanding natural gas infrastructure across the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, with particular emphasis on Khankandi and several key rural settlements.

According to the report, SOCAR’s gas distribution subsidiary, Azəriqaz, successfully delivered natural gas to 819 apartments within 31 residential buildings in Khankandi, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

In parallel, Azəriqaz conducted extensive safety and integrity testing across 53.5 kilometres of internal urban gas pipelines. Gas metres were installed in 340 apartments across 18 buildings, and gas lines in 15 buildings were subjected to rigorous leak and pressure tests to ensure compliance with safety standards.

Beyond Khankandi, the report details substantial infrastructure development in adjacent districts. In the Khudafarin settlement, Jabrayil district, 25.9 kilometres of underground main gas pipeline have been laid, with project completion currently at 91%.

In Kalbajar district’s Zar village, 11,425 metres of polyethylene pipeline were laid as part of the main gas supply network, achieving full completion. Notably, SOCAR also finalized gas supply infrastructure for two major facilities in Kalbajar: a 730-metre steel gas pipeline now delivers fuel to the Istisu mineral water plant, while a separate 3,336-metre polyethylene pipeline—97% complete—has been constructed to service the Istisu Health and Wellness Complex.

Significant developments were also recorded in Aghdara district’s Hasanriz village, where over 16 kilometres of distribution pipelines were laid—10,972 metres of steel and 5,220 metres of polyethylene. Gas lines and metres have been installed in 90 private homes, with the entire operation reaching 100% completion.

In Ballija village, Khojaly district, SOCAR repaired 2.3 kilometres of gas pipelines and tested an additional 3 kilometres for tightness and durability. As a result, 49 new subscribers were successfully connected to the natural gas network.

By Vafa Guliyeva