Minister: Azerbaijan delivers over 54 bcm of gas to Europe via TAP in five years

Azerbaijan has exported more than 54 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to Europe over the past five years through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov announced on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

“Five years have passed since Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Europe via TAP. During this period, more than 54 bcm of gas has been supplied to Europe via TAP. This year, according to operative data, 12.8 bcm of gas has been #exported to Europe under short- and long-term contracts,” Shahbazov said.

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline, the final component of the Southern Gas Corridor, was launched commercially on November 15, 2020. The 878-kilometer pipeline transports gas from the Caspian Sea through Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea, and Italy.

Azerbaijan officially began gas deliveries to Europe on December 31, 2020. Under the agreement with the European Union, annual Azerbaijani gas supplies are expected to reach at least 20 bcm by 2027. As part of the pipeline’s first expansion phase, Italy will receive 1 bcm of Azerbaijani gas, while Albania will receive 200 million cubic meters.

Following market tests conducted in 2021, TAP shareholders pledged to raise the pipeline’s annual capacity by an additional 1.2 bcm above the current 10 bcm by January 1, 2026.

The Southern Gas Corridor, which includes TAP, remains a cornerstone of Europe’s energy diversification strategy, providing a reliable supply of Caspian gas to European markets

By Vugar Khalilov