AzerNews: TAP to change energy map of Europe: Azerbaijani official

The selection of Trans-Adriatic Pipeline as the South European route by the Shah Deniz consortium will change the energy map of Europe and open up new opportunities for cooperation, Azerbaijani Deputy Industry and Energy Minister Natig Abbasov said at a meeting with a European Parliament delegation that is on a visit to Baku.

"The proven gas reserves in Azerbaijan exceed 2.6 trillion cubic meters. This will create conditions to turn our country into a major supplier of gas to the international market in the decades to come," Abbasov said.

In late June, the consortium developing Azerbaijan's giant Shah Deniz field in the Caspian Sea made a decision in favor of TAP to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe. TAP will bring an initial 10 billion cubic meters of Azerbaijani gas a year across Albania and Greece, and into Italy. First gas is expected in 2019.  MORE