Romania's Romgaz to start receiving Azerbaijani gas in Jan

BAKU. Dec 19 (Interfax) - The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) and Romania's Romgaz S.A. signed a contract for supplies of Azerbaijani gas on December 16.

Under this contract, the Romanian company will be able to receive Azerbaijani gas through the IGB interconnector with an exit point in Komotini, Greece starting on January 1, 2023, SOCAR said.

This contract will enable new customers in Europe to receive gas from Azerbaijan, SOCAR said.

"The signing of this contract ensures the possibility to acquire natural gas quantities from Azerbaijan in order to fulfill the potential consumption needs with import gas. The contract thus serves the strategic objectives of security of supply and diversification of gas sources," Romgaz said in a press release.

"The parties plan to continue their cooperation relationship and to enhance the mechanisms for natural gas deliveries from Azerbaijan to Romania," the company said.

Romanian Energy Minister Virgil-Daniel Popescu said in March 2022 that Bucharest was interested in importing gas from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan exported 19 billion cubic meters of gas in 2021, for the first time launching supplies to Europe, which totalled 8.2 bcm. Exports are expected to grow to 22 bcm-23 bcm in 2022, including 11.5 bcm to Europe.

Azerbaijan began supplying gas to customers in Italy, Greece and Bulgaria through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) on December 31, 2020. Azerbaijan also exports gas to Turkey through the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) and South Caucasus pipeline, and to Georgia through the South Caucasus and Gazimagomed-Gazakh pipelines.