SOCAR: First gas delivered to Europe via Southern Gas Corridor

Today, the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP), the last segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, began transporting commercial gas from Azerbaijan, Report informs, citing SOCAR.

For the first time in history, Azerbaijan has exported its natural gas to the European market through pipelines. After the successful connection of TAP to the Italian gas distribution network on November 15, commercial natural gas has been delivered today from Melendugno to Italy via SNAM Rete Gas (SRG) and from Nea Mesimvria to Greece and Bulgaria via DESFA.

By gaining direct access to the European gas market, which is the largest importer of natural gas globally, Azerbaijan managed to diversify its export opportunities. It adds value to the country's economy and strengthens Azerbaijan's economic independence.

Speaking about the first gas supplies via TAP, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev said: "On this historic day, I would like to thank all the partner countries and companies, experts, all our colleagues, financial institutions that support this project, and the residents of the communities that created the TAP and Shah Deniz-2 projects, the Southern Gas Corridor, and contributed to the delivery of Azerbaijani gas to the European market for the first time in history.

"On behalf of SOCAR, which has a stake in all Southern Gas Corridor segments, and Azerbaijani oil workers who have completed this historic mission, I praise the EU nations and the people of Azerbaijan. I heartily congratulate the people of Azerbaijan on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, the author and driving force of this great project!

"We made the final investment decision with our partners seven years ago and set off by signing 25-year gas purchase agreements with European gas distribution companies. The construction of three 3,500-kilometer interconnected gas pipelines, which some considered impossible at the time, has already been completed. Azerbaijani gas is in Europe today.

"Europe will strengthen its energy security by purchasing natural gas from a new source via an alternative route. The decline in production within Europe creates a need for additional gas volumes in the market, and Azerbaijani gas will help meet this demand, thereby increasing Azerbaijan's importance for the old continent."

TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati also commented on this historic event: "Today is a historic day for our project, for the countries through which the pipeline passes and for the energy landscape of Europe. TAP is an integral part of the continent's gas network, and it contributes to the energy transit roadmap. We offer a reliable, direct, and convenient transportation route to Southeast Europe and other countries."

The second phase of market research to further expand TAP and increase the pipeline's capacity to 20 billion cubic meters will begin in the summer of 2021.

TAP transports natural gas to Europe from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. The 878-kilometer pipeline connects to the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea, and reaches the southern coast of Italy.

TAP can stimulate gas supplies to Southeast European countries through interconnectors to be built in the future. For example, Bulgaria will strengthen security by ensuring 33% of its natural gas needs through TAP. It, in turn, will increase the penetration of natural gas in the country. TAP's outlets in Greece, Albania, and Italy also open up opportunities for transporting Azerbaijani gas to other European countries.

As the last segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP, which provides Europe with reliable access to a new natural gas source and is of strategic importance, plays a vital role in boosting Europe's energy security, diversifying supplies, and serving decarbonization purposes.

TAP's shareholders are SOCAR (20%), BP (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).