Azerbaijan Sends First Gas Export via TAP Pipeline
05 Jan 2021 by Bojan Lepic
Azerbaijan has started commercial natural gas supplies to Europe via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). First gas reached Greece, Bulgaria as well as Italy via the Melendugno interconnection point.
For the first time in history, Azerbaijan’s natural gas reached the European market through a direct pipeline connection.
Following the start of commercial operations on 15 November 2020, SOCAR said on the last day of 2020 that first gas reached Italy via the Melendugno interconnection point with SNAM Rete Gas (SRG), as well as Greece and Bulgaria via the Nea Mesimvria interconnection point with DESFA.
With this, Azerbaijan gained direct access to the European gas market – the world’s largest natural gas importer.
President of SOCAR Rovnag Abdullayev said: ”On this historic day, we express our deep gratitude to the partner companies, specialists and all our colleagues, who participated in TAP, Shah Deniz-2, and the Southern Gas Corridor projects, contributing to the first delivery of Azerbaijani gas to the European market.
“As a shareholder in all Southern Gas Corridor segments, SOCAR is proud of the successful completion of this historic mission”.