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Azerbaijani pipelines are critical arteries linking Caspian gas to Europe: SOCAR

Created at 30 Jul · 2:11 PM1 source↑ Market-relevant
IN SHORT

SOCAR executives highlighted Azerbaijan's growing importance in European energy security, with natural gas exports to the EU increasing by 56% since 2021. The company emphasized the critical role of its transit corridors, including the Southern Gas Corridor, in ensuring uninterrupted gas deliveries across Europe.

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Key Numbers

56%increase in natural gas exports to EU since 2021
3,500 kmlength of Southern Gas Corridor
9.5 billion cubic metresItalian gas imports in 2025
16%share of Italy's total gas imports from Azerbaijan in 2025

Who's Involved

SOCAR
state firm operating the Southern Gas Corridor
Vitaliy Baylarbayov
SOCAR Deputy Vice President
Elkhan Sultanov
Operations Director
Azerbaijani pipelines are critical arteries linking Caspian gas to Europe: SOCAR

↳ Why This Matters

Azerbaijan's expanding natural gas exports are crucial for Europe's energy security, particularly amid efforts to diversify away from other suppliers. The reliability of the Southern Gas Corridor is essential for maintaining these vital energy flows.

Key facts

  • Azerbaijani natural gas exports to the EU have risen 56% since 2021.
  • The Southern Gas Corridor, spanning 3,500 kilometers, is operated by SOCAR.
  • Italy was the largest European consumer in 2025, importing 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas.
  • SOCAR emphasizes the need for constant monitoring of the gas corridor for safe deliveries.
  • Azerbaijan's role in European energy security has expanded significantly, with natural gas exports to the EU increasing by 56% since 2021, according to SOCAR executives. Vitaliy Baylarbayov, SOCAR Deputy Vice President, described the nation's transit corridors, including the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and South Caucasus pipelines, as vital "arteries" connecting the Caspian region to the global market.

    The supplies are transported via the 3,500-kilometer Southern Gas Corridor, a network managed by the state firm SOCAR. In 2025, Italy emerged as the largest European consumer, importing 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas, which constituted 16% of its total gas imports. Operations Director Elkhan Sultanov stressed the importance of precision in the industry, highlighting the necessity of constant monitoring along the extensive Southern Gas Corridor to ensure safe and uninterrupted gas deliveries across Europe.

    Frequently asked questions

    The Southern Gas Corridor is a 3,500-kilometer natural gas pipeline network operated by SOCAR, designed to transport gas from the Caspian region to Europe.

    In 2025, Italy was the largest European consumer, importing 9.5 billion cubic meters of gas from Azerbaijan.

    Azerbaijan's natural gas exports to the EU have increased by 56% since 2021.

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    How It Developed

    SOCAR executives discussed Azerbaijan's expanding role in European energy security.
    Natural gas exports to the EU have increased by 56% since 2021.
    The Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500km network, is essential for these deliveries.
    Italy was the largest European consumer in 2025, importing 9.5 billion cubic metres of gas.
    Constant monitoring is essential to guarantee safe, uninterrupted deliveries.

    Sources

    T1
    Azerbaijani pipelines act as critical 'arteries' linking Caspian gas to Europe, says SOCAR ExecutiveEuronews

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