August 2011- Bakuriani, Georgia A kilometer marker seen in the fields along the pipeline route near Bakuriani in Georgia. Since it became operational in 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh).
August 2011- Bakuriani, Georgia Young boy on his horse near an Aremenian settlement in the Bakuriani region where the BTC pipeline goes through. Since it became operational in 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh).
August 2011- Bakuriani, Georgia Landscape in Bakuriani region where the BTC pipeline goes through. Since it became operational in 2006 the BTC has allowed Azerbaijan to export its oil to world markets through Georgia and Turkey, thus avoiding Russia. It has given Azerbaijan a greater sense of independence and a new role for Georgia in Europe's energy security to the annoyance of Russia. Some blame the BTC for Russia's continued covert involvement in regional latent conflicts (Abkhazia, South Ossetia, Nagorno Karabakh).