Energy
TAP Pipeline Advances 1.2 Bcm Capacity Expansion to Meet European Demand
April 13, 2026
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Min
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has completed a 1.2 billion cubic meter capacity expansion, marking a significant milestone in the broader effort to double the Southern Gas Corridor's throughput to approximately 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027. The expansion makes TAP one of the most active pipeline infrastructure projects in Europe and reinforces Azerbaijan's growing role as a key energy supplier to the continent.
TAP, the 878-kilometer, 48-inch diameter pipeline stretching from Greece through Albania and under the Adriatic Sea to Italy, has been operational since December 2020. The pipeline incorporates three compressor stations and achieved 8 billion cubic meters of throughput by the end of its first full year of operations. Cumulative deliveries reached 50 billion cubic meters by September 2025, demonstrating consistent and reliable performance.
The 1.2 bcm capacity boost, initially approved in January 2024, became operational in the first quarter of 2026. The expansion was achieved primarily through optimization of compressor station operations and flow management along the pipeline route, avoiding the need for major new construction. This approach allowed the capacity increase to be delivered on time and under budget.
The expansion is part of a broader doubling effort that aims to bring total Southern Gas Corridor capacity from the current approximately 10 bcm per year to 20 bcm by 2027. This requires coordinated upgrades across all three segments of the corridor: the South Caucasus Pipeline through Azerbaijan and Georgia, the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) through Turkey, and TAP through Southern Europe.
Upstream developments at the Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea are keeping pace with the infrastructure expansion. Additional wells completed in 2025-2026 have boosted production capacity, while exploration of pre-Fasila reservoirs could unlock further gas reserves. The entry of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) into the corridor's capital structure provides additional financial and operational backing for the expansion program.
The capacity increase comes at a critical time for European energy security. With Russian gas flows to Europe remaining well below pre-2022 levels, alternative supply sources have become strategic priorities for EU energy policy. Several EU member states are currently negotiating new long-term contracts with Azerbaijan, and the corridor now delivers gas to Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, North Macedonia, Austria, and Germany.
Looking ahead, the potential Trans-Caspian Pipeline connecting Turkmen gas reserves to the Southern Gas Corridor system remains under discussion. If realized, this project could add 15-30 bcm of additional annual capacity and transform the corridor into one of Europe's most important gas supply arteries.
