Turkmenistan Says Taking Oil Field Dispute With Azerbaijan To UN Court

The contested region could hold up to 50 million tons of oil (file photo)

Turkmenistan says it’s taking its dispute with Azerbaijan over the ownership of potentially lucrative sections of the energy-rich Caspian Sea to the United Nations.

Oil and Gas Minister Kakageldy Abdyllayev said in a statement that Turkmenistan would pursue its claim for the contested oil-and-gas zone at the United Nations' International Court of Justice.

Tensions between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan over the territory flared earlier in June after an Azeri border patrol boat stopped a Turkmen vessel that Ashgabat said was conducting research in the disputed region.

The two sides have accused each other of provocations and vowed to defend their rights.

Baku calls the oil field Kapaz, while Ashgabat calls it Serdar.

Reports say experts estimate that the region could be holding upward of 50 million tons of oil.

Based on reporting by AP and ITAR-TASS