Total gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) since December 31, 2020, have amounted to about 40 billion cubic meters, Luca Schieppati, Managing Director of the pipeline company TAP AG, said at the Italian Energy Forum. Excerpts from his speech were shared on the social network X by the TAP AG consortium, which is the operator of the Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline.
"Over the past four years, nearly 40 bcm of gas have been transported by TAP, significantly enhancing Europe's energy security, diversification, and transition," he noted.
According to him, TAP's technical and commercial attractiveness and its flexibility are valued by operators: today 43 companies have the right to book pipeline capacity.
Schieppati said TAP will increase its transport capacity by 1.2 billion cubic meters per year from the beginning of 2026. This confirms the possibility of expanding capacities based on market interest, he noted.
He also noted that as part of the Carbon Emissions Management Plan (2022-2025), TAP has already reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 30%, methane by 53%, and fugitive emissions by 70%.
Schieppati added that TAP aims to ensure a sustainable energy transition, preparing to accept hydrogen and biomethane, as well as offering increasingly sustainable solutions for gas transportation. Regarding biomethane, we are ready to welcome it in our pipeline and set ourselves the task of contributing to the development of its regulation.
Furthermore, Schieppati reported that the company is currently testing pipeline materials for their resistance to hydrogen transportation. He noted that the company is assessing the compatibility of equipment and systems for transporting hydrogen mixtures.
Azerbaijan began exporting gas to Europe on December 31, 2020. In 2023, Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe amounted to 11.8 billion cubic meters.
In 2024, Azerbaijani gas supplies to Europe are planned at the level of 12.5 billion cubic meters.