Along the May 2015, AKBN following the MEI order nr. 124 12.05.2015 and nr. 132 date 15.05.2015 invited all interested hydrocarbon companies to apply for the free onshore blocks 4, 5 and Dumre with deadline of application the 15th of June 2015. Free offshore blocks Joni 5 and Rodoni as well as onshore block C and Panaja had as a deadline of application the 25th of June 2015.
A week before the opening of the offers for the onshore bids Energy Minister Damian Gjiknuri ordered the bidding date be postponed for Areas 4, 5, Dumre, C and Panaja until 15.07.2015. In last the 10 July, AKBN announced the new application deadline for onshore blocks Panaja, C and 5, on September 30th. In specific, it refers to the Minister of Energy and Industry Order No. 170, on July 10, 2015 that issued the new deadline for these three blocks is September 30, 2015.
Then, it is important to remember that the application for the Petroleum Agreement acquisition of onshore Blocks 4 and Dumre is unchanged and it means that the deadline for the other two blocks are open until July 15, 2015. Therefore today we are only one day more before the close of bids for the exploration of Oil & Gas onshore Blocks 4 and Dumrea.
Hydrocarbons sector is very important in Albania‘s economy. The sector of the oil and gas, as seen in the last period the following legal acts adopted: Law No 71/2014, dated 07.10.2014 “On some amendments to Law no. 8450, dated 24.2.1999, “On the processing, transportation and trading of oil, gas and their by-products”, as amended. Law No 183/2013 of 28.12.2013 “On an amendment to the Law 7811 of 12.04.1994 “On the approval with some amendments of the Decree No 782 of 22.02.1994 “On the fiscal system in the hydrocarbons sector (exploration – production)”.
According to the National Economic Reform Program of Albania 2015 – 2017, release in the January, 2015 the regulatory strategies are being prepared the Draft of the National Energy Strategy by a work group set up by the Order of Minister of Energy and Industry No 29 of 17.01.2014. The new Strategy aims to define the main challenges, goals and actions for the period 2015 – 2030. The draft Strategy shall take into account the construction of TAP Pipeline, as well Draft amendments to Law No 9946 of 30.06.2008 “On Gas Sector” prepared in order to transpose the Third Energy Package.
For the next years hydrocarbon sector will be focused in ensuring a safe supply of hydrocarbon energy resources of Albania market by the diversification of the supply with hydrocarbon energy sources. Increase the domestic crude oil production. It is needed the modernization of the existing refinery in order to increase the real refining capacity and the quality of by-products which will go to the internal market according to the Albanian legal framework.
The increase of the monitoring role of the Albanian authority is serving for guaranteeing transparency and fair competition of the hydrocarbon activity in Albania as well as increasing the efficiency for exploitation and usage of the hydrocarbons domestic natural resources. The realization of the master plan for the gasification of Albania will encourage the regional integration projects in order to connect Albania with international gas pipeline network such as TAP project, IAP project etc.
For more keep update with the EU & WBs / Albania Energy Investment Updates or visit the Official Page of ACERC.
Photo credits: Gerald Simmons (Flickr)
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