Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 24
By Elena Kosolapova – Trend:
The Southern Gas Corridor, which is to supply Azerbaijani gas to Europe, will in short term increase the energy security of Southeastern Europe, Marco Giuli, an energy issues analyst at the Brussels-based European Policy Center, believes.
“In the short term, the Southern Gas Corridor will be limited to the early stage of the Trans Adriatic (TAP) and Trans Anatolian (TANAP) pipelines system, which is not expected to dramatically change the picture of gas supply to the EU. However, it is expected to increase the energy security of Southeastern Europe, especially in the light of uncertain developments regarding the Ukraine transit route,” Giuli told Trend on Feb. 24.
The expert noted that Azerbaijan is so far the only gas contributor to the Southern Gas Corridor, but SGC’s role can expand in the future as a certain amount of un-contracted Caspian gas may enter the picture and be transported through Azerbaijan.
He stressed that the longstanding EU ambition is to have multiple producers on board, including Turkmenistan, Iraq, Iran and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
“However, each of them presents some distinctive challenges and risks,” Giuli said.
On Feb. 23, Baku hosted the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council Third Ministerial Meeting.
The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.
At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.
As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
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