SOCAR: Azerbaijan’s gas production soars, enhancing energy partnership with Europe

Azerbaijan's gas production has exceeded expectations, a development attributed to strategic investments in the country’s gas fields.

Babek Huseynov, Vice-President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), highlighted this achievement during his speech at the IADC Drilling Caspian 2025 conference in Baku, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

While oil production is on a downward trend due to the maturation of existing fields, Huseynov expressed optimism, viewing the situation not as a challenge but as an opportunity for innovation and transformation.

"Gas production is exceeding our expectations, and Azerbaijan is strengthening its position as a key supplier and strategic partner to Europe," he stated.

He also provided insight into ongoing oil and gas projects, including Karabakh, Ashrafi-Dan Ulduzu, Aypara, Absheron, Umid, and deep-gas projects in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block. These initiatives are set to play a significant role in expanding Azerbaijan's resource base, stabilizing production levels, and ensuring long-term energy exports.

Huseynov emphasized that these efforts not only bolster SOCAR's sustainability but also position Azerbaijan to meet the growing energy demands, contributing to the region’s energy security in the coming years.

SOCAR's recent acquisition of a 10% stake in the Tamar project in the Mediterranean Sea and 3% in the development projects of the SARB and Umm Lulu fields last year marks a new chapter in SOCAR’s international production expansion.

"SOCAR has long been an international oil and gas company, but its foreign activities have primarily focused on refining, transportation, retail, and trading of oil and petroleum products. Now, we are expanding our international operations in production. This has been made possible by the acquisition of a 3% stake in the offshore oil and gas project SARB and Umm Lulu, as well as our recent entry into the Tamar gas-condensate field project in the Mediterranean. These deals open a new page in SOCAR's international production expansion," Huseynov said.

He also emphasized that a key role in SOCAR's upstream sector is played by fields developed by the Azneft Production Union. "Under its direct management, over 100,000 barrels of oil are produced daily. The Union’s operations cover both onshore and offshore, primarily focusing on mature fields in Azerbaijan," Huseynov noted.

Another strategic goal of the company, he added, is decarbonization and the energy transition.

"We aim for all our operations to align with the global agenda to combat climate change. By setting clear goals and taking concrete steps, SOCAR is making a significant contribution to international and regional initiatives to reduce emissions," he emphasized.

Let's note that Azerbaijan has been a key supplier of natural gas to Europe, primarily through its Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) project. The SGC includes the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which transport Azerbaijani gas from the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea to Europe, particularly to Italy, with further distribution to other European countries.

By Khagan Isayev