The European Commission said it is determined to diversify the sources and routes of gas supplies to reduce excessive dependence on one dominating supplier or the route, while commenting on the proposal of Turkish Foreign Minister to join the Turkish Stream gas pipeline promoted by Russia to the Trans Anadolu gas pipeline (TANAP), which will be used to export Azerbaijani gas to Europe since 2020.
Chavushoglu told Turkish TV channels on August 10 that Ankara will buy only 16 bcm of Russian gas a year for its own needs through the Turkish Stream. The remaining volume of Russian gas could be exported via the TANAP pipeline, if it is connected to the Turkish Stream.
While commenting on the statement of Turkish Foreign Minister, Ilham Shaban, Director of the Centre of Oil Studies of Azerbaijan, said that “Mr. Chavushoglu most likely confused TANAP with Trans Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP)”. He said the second branch of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline will reach the Turkish shore on the west of the country and will be built towards Ipsala village on the Turkish-Greek border. TAP gas pipeline, which will receive Azerbaijani gas from TANAP, will begin close to this place. If Russian gas is delivered to the place, where TANAP ends, is there a reason to connect the Turkish Stream to TANAP?
“Transportation of Russian gas via TAP is possible only in case of expansion of the pipeline up to its target capacity of 20 bcm, which is scheduled by the middle of 2020s, because the volume of gas pumping via TAP since 2020 is already contracted,” Shaban explained.
Expert believes that even after TAP expansion, the pipeline could deliver only a small volume of Russian gas to the European consumers. “The carrying capacity of the second branch of the Turkish Stream is 15.75 bcm. When TAP carrying capacity is doubled, Azerbaijan’s export capacities will be expanded as well – Absheron gas field will be put into operation and BP company will start gas extraction from the deep-lying beds on the contract area Azeri-Chirag-Guneshli (ACG). Azerbaijan will need a minimum of 5 bcm. In this case the remaining capacity of the pipeline could be given to the third party for gas pumping.”