OREANDA-NEWS. November 28, 2007. State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) plans to bid for acquiring 24 regional gas distributing companies in the neighboring Georgia. SOCAR filed a bid for the privatization of these companies under all the five lots composed by the government of Georgia, the Georgian Ministry of Economic Development said.

The another contenders desiring to buy gas distributing assets are Georgian Wissol and Iveri-7, but they are interested only in regional gas firms In Kartli (Central Georgia) and Guria (west of the country).

Georgia announced plans to sell 24 gas distribution companies in mid-October 2007. Tbilisi intends to raise no less than $10 million from the tenders. According to the data announced by the Ministry of Economic Development of Georgia, all the stations would be auctioned as 5 lots grouped on the territorial basis.

First of all seven gas-distributing stations in Kaheti region are to be sold to private business. Starting price for this lot is $1.7 million. Another three gas-distributing companies in Mcheta-Mtianeti, Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli regions were combined into one lot which is to be sold for no less than $3 million. 6 more companies are being sold in Imereti region - with starting price of $1.3 million. 7 more gas-distributing stations are auctioned off as one lot of companies in Samegrelo and Guria regions. They are to be sold for $2 million or more.

In Adzaria Georgian government plans to sell two gas pipelines - Batumi and Kobuleti ones. Starting price for this lot is $2 million. According to the terms of this auction the winner should provide full gasification for Batumi, Kobuleti and Khelvachauri. Batumi is to be gasified at first instance.