The second and final section of the first phase of the Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP) will be launched on November 30, 2019. This was announced by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey Fatih Donmez.

According to him, Presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev will attend the launching ceremony of the TANAP pipeline which will supply gas to the EU countries, bypassing Russia. This is reported by Daily Sabah.

Azerbaijani gas supply to Turkey via a gas pipeline started in June 2018. TANAP stretches out from Azerbaijan towards the Greek border via Georgia and Turkey. The Trans Adriatic gas pipeline with initial carrying capacity of 10 bcm will be its continuation. According to the latest data, it will be commissioned in October 2020. The TAP project is supported by the European institutions and considered as the common interest project, as a part of the Southern Gas Corridor. It will promote energy security and diversification of gas supply for the European markets. In 2009 the EU’s Third Energy Package gained force, which prohibited gas producers to perform gas transportation. Besides, 50% of a gas pipeline carrying capacity should remain free for third parties. However, following the request of the shareholders, an exception was made in case of the Trans Adriatic gas pipeline. On September 7, 2011 the Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP AG) also confirmed its Third Party Access Exemption in all the three countries which it crosses through. The exception will let TAP AG make a “transport or pay” long-term gas transportation deals with Shah Deniz II gas suppliers. Exemptions from requirements were provided on May 16, 2013.

It is also noteworthy that the Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP), the main part of the Southern Gas Corridor, transported about 1.798 bcm from January till September 2019, the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) has reported earlier.

The launch of the first phase of TANAP gas pipeline took place on June 13, 2018 in the Turkish province of Eskishehir. Commercial gas supply to Turkey started late in June.

Initial carrying capacity of TANAP makes 16 bcm. About 6 bcm will flow to Turkey, while the rest will be supplied to Europe. Gas will start flowing to Europe after completion of the construction of the Trans Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP). Shareholders of TANAP are the Southern Gas Corridor (51%), SOCAR Turkey Enerji (7%), Botas (30%) and BP (12%).