The operator of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has successfully completed the first phase of its capacity expansion program, adding an additional 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas transport capacity per year. This boost follows commitments made during the 2021 market test, when shippers secured long-term capacity for expanded deliveries.
The infrastructure upgrade involved installing a new 15 MW compressor unit at the Kipoi compressor station, located near the Greece–Turkey border. This enhancement enables the pipeline to transport larger volumes of Caspian natural gas toward European markets, improving supply reliability.
This milestone comes nearly five years after TAP began transporting gas to Europe in late 2020. Since then, the pipeline has played a crucial role in diversifying Europe’s gas supplies and enhancing overall energy security. The system has already delivered over 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from the Caspian region to European consumers.
TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati described the expansion as a key step in the pipeline’s development, highlighting the collaboration between employees, contractors, suppliers, and shareholders that made the project possible.
The upgrade also marks a significant achievement for the Southern Gas Corridor, the 3,500-kilometer infrastructure network connecting Caspian gas fields with European markets. Murad Heydarov, chairman of TAP’s board, emphasized that the project underlines the corridor’s strategic importance as a stable and competitive energy route.
The development further demonstrates Azerbaijan’s growing role as a major gas supplier to Europe, providing an alternative energy source and helping the region reduce reliance on traditional supply routes. By increasing the pipeline’s capacity, the project strengthens the reliability and resilience of the European energy system.
