TANAP capacity expansion not under consideration at this stage

Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister Natig Aliyev has put an end to speculations of a possible capacity expansion of the Trans Anatolian Pipeline ( TANAP), set to deliver Caspian gas across Turkey to EU borders.

Earlier there were rumours that the European Commission agreed to a 20 bcm expansion with Azerbaijan and Turkey from the currently planned 16 bcm.

"We have a feasibility study and calculation of the project cost. It is based on future available amount of gas from Shah Deniz -2 development. It is possible to expand TANAP capacity in the future by the construction of additional compressor stations and adding other facilities to 23-24 billion cubic meters a year, and then to 31 billion cubic meters per year. According to some data, we can even raise TANAP capacity up to 65 billion cubic meters of gas per year. However, a desire is not enough, gas resources needed for such solutions," said Minister Aliyev to journalists in Baku.

A further pipeline expansion depends on future output of Shah Deniz, putting online an Absheron field by 2022 with output of 5 bcm gas a year, or a rise in SOCAR’s own production. “Right know there is nothing to talk about," he said.

The South Caucasus Pipeline (from Sangachal terminal near Baku to the Georgian-Turkish border) expansion, the construction of TANAP and the Trans Adriatic pipeline will provide export routes for Shah Deniz-2 gas and the so called South Gas corridor.   

Minister Aliyev further commented "That’s why it’s too early to talk about increasing production capacity at the current stage."

First gas from the $28 billion Shah Deniz 2 field is targeted for late 2018, with supplies to Georgia and Turkey. Gas deliveries to Europe are expected in 2020, according to the latest schedule.

Shah Deniz 2 will add 16 bcm a year gas production to the approximately 9 bcma produced by stage 1.

10 bcm will be supply to Europe with rest 6 bcm and on to western regions of Turkey.