EU countries increase gas imports from Azerbaijan 4%, spend 5 bln euro from Jan-Oct

BAKU. Dec 18 (Interfax) - European Union member-countries Italy, Greece and Bulgaria increased gas imports from Azerbaijan 3.9% from January through October 2023 compared to the same period last year to 409,300 terajoules (TJ).

EU statistical office Eurostat said that the cost of gas shipped from Azerbaijan to the EU during the reporting period totaled nearly 5 billion euro (a 61.5% decrease).

In October, the EU increased gas imports from Azerbaijan 0.3% compared to October last year to 45,100 TJ, spending approximately 445 million euro (a 76.8% decrease).

Based on Eurostat data, in 2022, EU countries imported natural gas from Azerbaijan worth 15.6 billion euro, a fourfold increase over 2021, Eurostat said.

In 2022, Azerbaijan increased gas exports 18% to 22.3 bcm, with shipments to Europe reaching 11.4 bcm (a 39% increase).

For 2023, Azerbaijan's gas exports are planned at 24.5 bcm, of which more than 12 bcm will go to Europe.