What is the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline, and what does it mean for Georgia?

The long-awaited opening of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) was held on November 30 in Turkey. 

The longest segment of the Southern Gas Corridor stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe, the 1,850 km pipeline aims to meet the demands of the European and Turkish gas markets, while diversifying the natural gas supply and reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas.

The natural gas pipeline travels from Azerbaijan and passes through Georgia and Turkey.

Specifically, it connects the Shah Deniz gas field in Azerbaijan to Europe through the South Caucasus Pipeline, TANAP and the TAP, which brings gas from western Turkey to Greece, Albania and across the Adriatic to Italy.

The opening ceremony of the first phase of TANAP was held on November 30, 2019. Photo: Government's press office.

Construction of the $10 billion TANAP project began in March 2015.

TANAP will deliver 16 bcm to Europe annually. By 2023 TANAP's capacity will rise to 23 bcm per year and by 2026 - to 31 bcm.

The TANAP project is yet another confirmation that Georgian has a very important role in the region to connect Asia and Europe…The realization of this project will bring further benefits to Georgia both in terms of energy independence and economics,” said the Prime Minister's Advisor for Strategic Communications Irakli Chikovani on November 30.

Photo: Government's press office.

Gakharia said that the challenge of the Georgian government is rapid economic growth, creating new jobs and the safety of the country and noted that the TANAP serves the achievement of all these aims.

It is important for Georgia to fulfil the function and role of a bridge not only in economic, political, social and cultural terms, but also in terms of energy," said Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia about the project on November 30.

As of today, Georgia receives five per cent of the transported gas as a share of transit from Azerbaijan to Turkey through Georgia which is 300 million cubic metres of natural gas a year for the transit of six billion cubic meters of gas.

Photo: Government's press office.

In the future Georgia will receive more than 1.1 billion cubic metres as a transit share as 23 billion cubic metres will be transported from Azerbaijan to Turkey through Georgia.

The opening ceremony of the Phase 0 was held on June 12, 2018, while the opening ceremony of the first phase of TANAP was held on November 30, 2019.

The Southern Gas Corridor CJSC holds 51 per cent of TANAP shares, while Botas holds 30 per cent, BP holds 12 per cent of shares and SOCAR Turkey Enerji is the owner of 7 per cent of shares.