Azerbaijan has started commercial natural gas supplies to Europe via the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the Energy Ministry said, beginning its push into the lucrative energy market dominated by Russia.
On the final day of 2020, the first commercial gas from Azerbaijan to the European market passed through the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline (TAP), the last leg of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), according to Report, citing SOCAR ( http://socar.az/socar/az/news-and-media/news-archives/news-archives/id/11515 ).
This is the first time Azerbaijani natural gas has been
transported to the European continent through pipelines. TAP kicked off
commercial operations in Italy on November 15, with the first gas delivered
from Melendugno to Italy via SNAM Rete Gas (SRG) and from Nea Mesimvria to
Greece and Bulgaria via DESFA on December 31.
Direct access to Europe, the biggest global consumer of
natural gas, translated into Azerbaijan’s success in diversifying its export
opportunities. This is beneficial to the country’s economy, making it more
independent.
Commenting on the start of gas exports via TAP, Rovnag
Abdullayev, SOCAR President, said that on that historic day he was grateful to
the partner countries, companies, experts, and colleagues who had participated
in the TAP, Shah Deniz-2, and Southern Gas Corridor projects and contributed to
the unprecedented delivery of Azerbaijani gas to the European market. He also
thanked financial institutions which had supported the endeavor and the
residents of the communities where the pipelines pass.
In addition, Mr. Abdullayev congratulated both the people of
the European Union and the people of Azerbaijan, “on behalf of SOCAR, a
shareholder in all Southern Gas Corridor segments, and Azerbaijani oil workers
who have accomplished the historic mission [...] I warmly congratulate
Azerbaijan on behalf of President Ilham Aliyev, the architect and driving force
of the great project,” he said.
As the head of SOCAR put it, “It is seven years since we
made the final investment decision with our partners. We embarked on the
project by inking 25-year gas purchase agreements with Europe’s gas transport
companies. The construction of three 3,500-kilometer interconnected gas
pipelines - something that was previously considered unfeasible - is over.
Azerbaijani gas has finally reached Europe”.
Mr. Abdullayev pointed out that “natural gas extracted from
the new source and transported via the alternative route will bolster Europe’s
energy security”. “The EU gas production has declined, which creates a need for
more gas in the market. In this context, Azerbaijani gas will feed this demand,
thus making the country more strategically important to the Old Continent”, he
argued.
As he marked the momentous event, Luca Schieppati, TAP
Managing Director, said: “Today is a historic day for our project, the host
countries and Europe’s energy landscape. TAP is an indispensable part of the
continent’s gas network, and it contributes to the energy transit roadmap. We
offer a reliable, direct, and cost-effective transportation route to Southeast
Europe and beyond.”
The summer of 2021 will mark the second phase of market
research to further expand TAP and increase its capacity to 20 billion cubic
meters.
TAP represents a 878-km cross-border natural gas pipeline
stretching from the Greek/Turkish border (near Kipoi) to the southern coast of
Italy after crossing Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea. Connecting to the
Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), it delivers natural gas to the European
continent from the giant Shah Deniz field located in the Caspian Sea offshore
Azerbaijan.
Interconnectors that are to be built later may enable TAP to
boost gas supplies to Southeast Europe. Specifically, Bulgaria will entrench
energy security by importing 33% of its natural gas needs from the pipeline.
It, in turn, will increase the penetration of natural gas in the country.
Moreover, the fact that TAP travels through Greece, Albania and Italy opens up
opportunities for transporting Azerbaijani gas to other European countries.
As the final leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP provides
Europe with reliable access to the new natural gas source and is instrumental
in improving Europe’s energy security, diversifying supplies and advancing low
carbon energy transition.
TAP’s shareholders involve SOCAR (20%), BP (20%), Snam
(20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).
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