Energy
Azerbaijan Boosts Gas Exports to Europe by 56 Percent via Southern Corridor
April 13, 2026
4
Min
Azerbaijan has achieved a 56 percent increase in natural gas exports to European markets, as the Southern Gas Corridor undergoes its most significant expansion since becoming operational in 2020. The surge in deliveries comes at a critical juncture for European energy security, with the continent still working to diversify away from Russian gas supplies.
The growth has been underpinned by the 1.2 billion cubic meter capacity boost to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the 878-kilometer, 48-inch diameter pipeline segment that runs from Greece through Albania and beneath the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy. The expansion, approved in January 2024, became operational in early 2026 as part of broader efforts to double the corridor's overall throughput to approximately 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027.
Two landmark events in January 2026 underscored the corridor's growing importance. On January 16, Azerbaijani gas began flowing to Austria and Germany for the first time, opening two of Europe's largest energy markets to Caspian supplies. The deliveries were made possible through swap arrangements and interconnector pipelines linking Italy's gas grid to Central European markets.
The expansion is being supported by upstream developments at the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea, where additional wells drilled in 2025-2026 are boosting production capacity. Explorations in the pre-Fasila reservoirs could potentially unlock additional gas reserves that would support further corridor expansion beyond the current targets.
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company's entry into the Southern Gas Corridor's capital structure represents a strategic validation of the infrastructure's long-term value. ADNOC's involvement is expected to bring both financial resources and operational expertise that could accelerate the doubling of pipeline capacity.
European policymakers have welcomed the increased Azerbaijani gas flows. The European Commission has identified the Southern Gas Corridor as a Project of Common Interest, and several EU member states are actively negotiating long-term supply contracts with SOCAR and its partners. The corridor now supplies gas to Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, and through interconnections to Serbia, North Macedonia, Austria, and Germany.
Industry analysts project that Azerbaijani gas could account for up to 8 percent of total EU gas imports by 2028, up from approximately 4 percent today. The Trans-Caspian Pipeline, which would bring Turkmen gas into the Southern Gas Corridor system, remains under discussion and could further increase volumes if political and commercial obstacles are resolved.
