Azerbaijan-Turkey gas-deal key to Caspian supply

A phased approach to opening the gas Southern Corridor to Europe will persuade Caspian producers to make their gas available, says Greece’s Depa, starting with the ITGI link

A gas-transit deal between Turkey and Azerbaijan is the key to unlocking Caspian gas exports to Europe and opening up Southern Corridor pipeline projects, says Greece’s Depa. Europe relies on Russian natural gas imports, but the EU wants to diversify supply following supply disruptions resulting from Gazprom spats with transit country Ukraine – which transits around 80% of Russian gas exports to Europe.  Azerbaijan, meanwhile, is developing huge gasfields that could supply Europe through Turkey and several pipeline projects are vying to sign up for the central Asian country’s gas resources. The first deal for 10 billion cubic metres a year (cm/y) of Caspian supply is expected next week. “[Th