By BAKU. Oct 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The total demand from more than 10 European countries for Azerbaijani gas exceeds 30 bcm per year, Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov said.
“The total demand from more than 10 European countries for Azerbaijani gas is above 30 billion cubic meters per year, and in this regard, gas projects implemented by Azerbaijan are an important source of supply of additional volumes,” Shahbazov wrote in an article published in the official press on Friday.
This applies to the Absheron field, which was put into operation in July of this year, where 453 mcm of gas and 171,000 tonnes of condensate have already been produced, as well as the Karabakh and Umid projects being prepared for implementation (Stage II ), Babek and deep-seated gas from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli block.
“In 2022, exports of Azerbaijani gas to Europe increased 40% to 11.4 bcm. In total, 24.3 bcm have been exported to Turkey via the TANAP gas pipeline (Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline, an integral part of the Southern Gas Corridor), and 28.7 bcm of gas have been exported to Europe through TANAP and TAP (Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline),” Shahbazov said.
As reported, shipments of Azerbaijani gas via the TAP gas pipeline to consumers in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria began on December 31, 2020. On January 1, 2023, gas supplies to Romania started. By the end of 2023, deliveries will begin to Hungary, and in 2024 to Serbia.
In addition, Azerbaijani gas is also exported to Turkey via the TANAP and South Caucasus Pipeline, and SKTM gas pipelines as well as to Georgia via the SKTM and the Gazimagomed-Gazakh gas pipeline.
For 2023, gas exports from Azerbaijan are planned at 24 bcm, of which about 12-12.5 bcm will go to Europe.
Based on agreements, by 2027, Azerbaijani gas shipments to the EU will reach at least 20 bcm per year.
