The rise in the oil sector was 0.6 percent, up from a 6.2 percent contraction in January 2021, while the non-oil sector grew by 8.2 percent compared to 0.1 percent growth a year earlier.

Total gas production in the country is expected to reach 45-46 bcm this year.

The ex-Soviet state is on the EU list of countries to be considered to ensure energy supplies for the 27-nation bloc.

Both Moscow and Brussels have played an active role in helping the two states forge a durable peace after two wars – including a 44-day conflict last year in which Azerbaijan made major advances to “deoccupy towns”.

Natural gas production at the major Shah Deniz gas field was 23 billion standard cubic metres (bcm) in 2021, up from around 18.1 bcm in 2020.