Implications of Azerbaijani Gas for the Southern Corridor and European Energy Security

This article examines the emerging role of Azerbaijani gas in European energy security with a particular focus on the impact of TANAP project. It refers to demand and supply constraints, and concludes that the conjuncture favors additional gas supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe via Georgia and Turkey, by benefitting from existing pipeline infrastructure. TANAP emerges as a facilitator, rather than a competitor, of other transit projects seeking to use the same transit route traversing Turkey. Gas transportation from Shah Deniz I and Shah Deniz II to Europe through TANAP opens the gate for European markets for Southern Corridor, and this will accelerate (rather than decelerate) other pipeline projects such as ITGI, TAP, Nabucco, SEEP and others, depending on contractual terms.

Authors: Mert Bilgin
327