Azerbaijan in recent years has significantly increased the export of natural gas to the west, becoming a supplier for 10 European countries.
amid the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, Europe is actively looking for new gas sources. In this context, attention was intensified to Azerbaijan as a key participant in the southern gas corridor – a 3,500 km highway passing through Georgia and Turkey. This contributed to the deepening cooperation of Azerbaijan and the EU in the energy sector.
On July 18, 2022, the Memorandum of Strategic Partnership in the Energy Sphere was signed between the European Union and Azerbaijan. Initially, Baku supplied gas only to Georgia and Turkey, but later entered into agreements with 10 European countries, bringing the number of importers to 12.
Today, 50 percent of Azerbaijani gas exports falls on European countries. EU leaders call Azerbaijan “a reliable partner in gas supplies.” Among the European buyers of Azerbaijani gas are Italy, Greece, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, Northern Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Croatia.
Deliveries are carried out through the Southern gas corridor, including the South Caucasian gas pipeline, the transanatolian pipeline (Tanap) and the transdriatic pipeline (TAP). In the context of the cessation of Russian gas supply, a number of countries cover part of their needs at the expense of Azerbaijani gas. It is expected that in the coming years other states of the region will join them.
In 2023, Azerbaijan exported 23.8 billion cubic meters of gas, and in 2024 – already 25.2 billion cubic meters.
Export to Europe increased from 11.8 billion cubic meters in 2023 to 12.9 billion cubic meters in 2024. Türkiye received 9.9 billion cubic meters, and Georgia – 2.4 billion cubic meters.
According to a memorandum signed with the EU, by 2027 the supply of Azerbaijani gas to Europe should increase to 20 billion cubic meters per year.
Azerbaijan has proven gas reserves of 2.6 trillion cubic meters, which, according to forecasts, can increase due to exploration of the Absheron, Umid, Babek, Asiman and Karabakh deposits.
The main volume of production is at the Cheh-Deniz field. In the first quarter of 2025, it is also planned to start gas production at the Azeri-Chirag-Guneshi field, as well as increase production on Absheron from 1.5 to 5 billion cubic meters per year.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev previously stated that “Azerbaijan’s gas reserves are enough for both him and partners for at least 100 years,” noting that Baku would continue to contribute to European energy security.