Southern Gas Corridor 30-32% Ahead Of Schedule, Says Azerbaijan

Works on the Southern Gas Corridor project are proceeding faster than expected, Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Natig Aliyev said on Wednesday, as reported by Azernews. 

According to the report, the project is 30-32% ahead of schedule.  

“Our goal is to deliver gas to Europe in the next five years” Aliyev said, confirming the 2020 deadline.  

The Minister told reporters that works are now focused on the expansion of the South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) going from Baku to Erzurum via Tbilisi. 

He also said that the modernisation of the Sangachal terminal has been completed. The facility, located 55 km south of Baku, receives, processes, stores and exports oil and gas. It also includes the SCP compressor. 

Earlier this month, state energy company of Azerbaijan SOCAR has taken over as operator of Azerbaijan Gas Supply company (AGSC), assuming the role of selling gas from Shah Deniz field in Caspian to customers. It bought around 15% stake in the SCP from Statoil.