More countries in Europe might joint Southern Gas Corridor project - Azerbaijani energy minister

BAKU - More countries in Europe might eventually join the Southern Gas Corridor project, which has entered the final stage, according to Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov.

"The Southern Gas Corridor project, which is being implemented by seven countries and many companies, has entered the final stage. The project is strategic from the angle of changing the world energy map," the Azerbaijani Energy Ministry's press service quoted Shahbazov as saying at the 55th Munich Security Conference.

This is a real project, which diversifies the gas supply route and source, he said.

"In the future, the project might involve more countries in Europe, which demonstrates the increasing of the role of the Southern Gas Corridor in the provision of European energy security," Shahbazov said.

The Southern Gas Corridor project stipulates the laying of pipelines for transporting gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 field to Europe via Turkey.

It comprises the Shah Deniz 2 field, expansion of the South Caucasus Gas Pipeline between Baku, Georgia, and the Turkish border, construction of the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) from the eastern to the western border of Turkey, and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) connecting Georgia, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea coast in southern Italy.

The project costs $40 billion.

The annual delivery of 10 bcm of Azerbaijani gas to Europe is due to begin in early 2020. Besides, 6 bcm of Azerbaijani gas will be supplied to western regions of Turkey. Gas delivery to Turkey started in summer 2018.