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) citing SOCAR.
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.
