On April 11, Vitaly Vitaliy Baylarbayov, the Deputy Vice-President of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), revealed Azerbaijan's plans to boost annual gas exports to Europe by 17% by 2026, aiming to reach a volume of 14 billion cubic meters, up from the 2023 figure. 

Baylarbayov outlined Azerbaijan's intention to increase gas exports to Southeast European countries to approximately 14 billion cubic meters annually within the next two years, compared to 12 billion cubic meters in the previous year. Furthermore, Azerbaijan aims to continue augmenting gas exports beyond 2026.

He explained that these ambitious export targets will be pursued through production expansion and the enhancement of transit pipeline capacities within the Southern Gas Corridor, which links Azerbaijan to Greece and Italy via Turkey.

However, Baylarbayov stressed that achieving further increases in gas supplies, potentially up to 20 billion cubic meters per year, hinges on European demand and the willingness of European investors to support new infrastructure projects.

Regarding specific plans, Baylarbayov mentioned intentions to supply an additional 5 billion cubic meters of gas through the Solidarity Ring to Balkan countries. Similar volumes could also be channeled through the Southern Gas Corridor to Italy, Greece, and neighboring nations.

He emphasized the importance of infrastructure readiness for realizing these plans, indicating that the timing and scale of increased gas supply will be contingent on the completion of relevant infrastructure projects. Azerbaijan remains committed to boosting gas exports but underscores the necessity of adequate infrastructure to support such endeavors.