South caucasus pipeline scp is a gas exportation pipeline that transmits natural gas from the shah deniz field located in the azeri caspian sea to azerbaijan, georgia and turkey for distribution. The pipeline starts from the sangachal terminal near baku. The competition between iran and turkey and their roles in the south caucasus are best defined by traditional balanceofpower relations and the broader context of the postsoviet era. Pipeline politics in iran, turkey, and the south caucasus.
The south caucasus gas pipeline is a 690 kilometre, 42 inch diameter gas export pipeline from the shah deniz field in azerbaijan. Reducing environmental footprints bechtel sustainability. Pensher skytech is delighted to be working on the south caucasus pipeline expansion project scpx that is being spearheaded by bp last year, pensher worked on the first installment of the project and supplied a range of blast and fireresistant doors and windows. Acg, agsc, apsheron peninsula, azerchiraggunashli acg project. Pdf the islamic republic of iran and the south caucasus. South caucasus pipeline expansion project scpx key quantities 2 million cubic meters of earth movement 110,000 cubic meters of reinforced concrete 15,000 tonnes of structural steel, grating and handrails 8,000 tonnes of process piping 7,000 tonnes of mechanical and electrical equipment. The turkstream project arose after the 2014 cancellation of russias south stream project, a gazpromled venture that would have transported russian natural gas across the. Challenges to the south caucasus regional security aftermath. The bakutbilisiceyhan pipeline central asiacaucasus institute. Currently undergoing a full field development, the shah deniz project aims to further increase the cubic meters of gas produced per year. Environmental and social impact assessment south caucasus.
However, the situation is not the same for the south caucasus. If constructed, the nabucco gas pipeline would provide europe with up to 31 billion cubic meters of gas a year from nonrussian sources. While a variety of problems hinder construction of the pipeline, russias evolving relationship with ukraine may. The south caucasus pipeline scp is a gas pipeline that transports gas from sangachal terminal to the georgianturkish border. The south caucasus pipeline scp was built to export shah deniz gas from azerbaijan to georgia and turkey. Scp, see building the bakutbilisiceyhan and south caucasus pipelines, below and another small existing pipeline. The new pipeline much of which runs parallel to the bakutbilisiceyhan btc oil pipeline, which began carrying caspian oil to the turkish mediterranean. Total to focus on caspian sea absheron gas field the french major total and its partners, the state oil company of azerbaijan republic socar and the other french oil and gas company gdfsuez, are finalizing the conceptual design to develop the absheron offshore gas field in. The role of global and regional actors in the south caucasus orhan gafarl. With the completion of shah deniz 2gas exports through the scp will exceed 20 bcma. That pipeline will be laid alongside btc for most of its route and is due to be completed about a year later, in 2006.
European engagement can only be successful by closely linking development aid with energy and security policy. The lifting of international nuclearrelated sanctions on iran in january 2016 was enthusiastically welcomed by the islamic republics neighbours in the south. Environmental and social impact assessment south caucasus gas. The 692kmlong pipeline started delivering gas to azerbaijan and georgia in september 2006. Additional 16 bcma 2 compression stations, 450km 56 pipeline, 2 pigging stations, 1 metering. The south caucasus pipeline scp is a part of the southern gas corridor project, which isaimed at diversifying energy supplies in europe. Scp participation is identical to that at shah deniz, which is the only field that currently uses the pipeline. Kairgeldy kabyldin, head of transport at kazmunaigaz, kazakhstans state oil company, says various routes are under study, including one running south to pick up gas in turkmenistan before crossing the. This supply corridor is likely to be dominated by turkstream 1 and 2 and possibly the transbalkan pipeline. It was launched in 2006 and has recently been expanded. South caucasus pipeline expansion scpx at a glance sangachal mx53 azerbaijan georgia mx71 mx77 mx74 mx80 scope. The south caucasus pipeline expansion scpx project, along with the shah deniz stage 2 sd2, are part of the.
South caucasus pipeline company scpc 2b1stconsulting. South caucasus pipeline extension scpx project name. Azerbaijan, collective security, energy dependence, energy geopolitics, nagornokarabakh, russia abstract. The south caucasus pipeline scp originates at the sangachal terminal, which is located approximately 45km south of baku, and traverses azerbaijan and. Scp will be a 690 km 42 diameter lined coated pipeline constructed parallel to the btc from azerbaijan through georgia to the turkishgeorgian border, where it will connect with the turkish domestic gas network. Socar holds a 10% interest in the south caucasus pipeline scp via its subsidiary azscp. The caucasus and beyond is a tenpart series of special reports that will provide credible, factbased information and awareness about a wide range of regional topics and issues impacting the south caucasus. Dec 20, 2019 the south caucasus pipeline scp transports gas from azerbaijans giant shah deniz field to turkeys eastern border, via georgia. South caucasus pipeline extension scpx geotechnical investigation south caucasus pipeline company contracted rsk to provide geotechnical investigation services. Security challenges and conflict resolution efforts in the south caucasus 37 gulshan pashayeva armenia stuck between a rock and a hard place 45 dennis sammut irans policy in the south caucasus between pragmatism and realpolitik 53 amanda paul trade, economic and energy cooperation. However, the eu lacks an extensive concept for the region.
The southern gas corridor and the south caucasus dgap. It follows the route of the bakutbilisiceyhan btc crude oil pipeline through azerbaijan and georgia to turkey, where it is linked to the turkish gas distribution system. South caucasus, this paper suggests that the prospects of such integration be considered. The south caucasus pipeline also known as bakutbilisierzurum pipeline, bte pipeline, or shah deniz pipeline is a natural gas pipeline from the shah deniz gas field in the azerbaijan sector of the caspian sea to turkey. The relationship between iran, turkey and the south caucasus states have been influenced by an array of geopolitical, strategic, cultural, and economic factors. Pursuing greater interconnectedness amidst continuing constraints and scaleddown expectations. In recent years, other volumes have appeared on the south caucasus, notably charles kings the ghost of freedom, and thomas goltzs diaries of georgia and azerbaijan. Until now, the nabucco project has been the main plan for the future energy supply of eu member states. The pipeline is a key element of the energy union, the european commissions flagship initiative.
This link, which was completed in 2006, is to have its capacity expanded from 7 to 23 billion cubic meters a year by means of a second pipeline and two large compressor stations. Oil and the search for peace in the south caucasus. South caucasus pipeline expansion project scpx and land purchase practices in georgia october, 2015 project description the south caucasus pipeline scp originates at the sangachal terminal, which is located approximately 45km south of baku, and traverses azerbaijan and georgia before terminating at erzurum in eastern turkey. The pipeline is owned by the south caucasus pipeline company, a consortium led by bp and statoil. The caspian middle eastern corridor shipping azerbaijani, turkmen, iranian, iraqi gas to turkey and further to southern european markets. It is intended to provide affected land owners and land users, as. The south caucasus pipeline is a natural gas pipeline from the shah deniz gas field in the. South caucasus pipeline expansion project scpx and land.
South caucasus pipeline extension scpx geotechnical. Apart from the southern energy corridor, this is the european neighborhood policy enp, the eastern partnership and the black sea synergy. The role of global and regional actors in the south caucasus. South caucasus pipeline sangachal, azerbaijansouth of bakuto the turkish border mcdermott was awarded the feed, detailed engineering and procurement services by bp caspian ltd. Add to that the increasing geopolitical pull of china, an increase in russian clout in its socalled near abroad after the georgian war and the possibility of a future iranian route if rapprochement with the us succeeds and these uncertainties make the future pipeline policy in south caucasus a forecasters nightmare. At full capacity, and after additional stages of development, it is envisaged that the pipeline will export up to 16bcmyear from the existing sangachal terminal near baku in azerbaijan, through georgia to the georgianturkish border. The green light for btc augurs well for another project, the south caucasus gas pipeline which will funnel gas from azerbaijans shah deniz gas fields in the caspian to turkey and on to europe. South caucasus pipeline how is south caucasus pipeline.
This article seeks to examine through a realist international relations lens the geopolitics and the security environment of the south caucasus, and specifically the security challenges armenia will face over the next five years. The construction process commenced in 2004 and was completed by the end of 2006. Both shah deniz and the south caucasus pipeline are considered parts of the southern gas corridors infrastructure as the ebrds managing director for energy and natural resources, riccardo puliti has stated. A disproportionate share of the wealth generated by the bakutbilisi ceyhan pipeline btc completed in 2005 has increasingly benefitted the northern part of azerbaijan.
The south caucasus pipeline in shah deniz is an integral part of a large scale bp operation transporting gas through azerbaijan and georgia. Scp, see building the bakutbilisiceyhan and south caucasus. Scp south caucasus pipeline bakutbilisierzurum gas pipeline. The southern caucasus is a key region for the transport of fossil fuels from the caspian region to europe. Bakutbilisierzurum pipeline, bte pipeline or shahdeniz pipeline, running from the sangachal terminal near baku to the georgianturkish border, is a key element in the gas exports system from the caspian, which. South caucasus pipeline extension scpx transportation of pipes by rail of agt project cargo from for poti port to for destination sites in azerbaijan and georgia. Pensher skytech working on south caucasus pipeline. Military spending in the south caucasus region 6 oil and gas reservesinternational comparison 7 map major oil and natural gas pipelines around the caspian sea 8 the nabucco gas pipeline project and its impact on eu energy policy in the south caucasus 9 by julia kusznir, oslo chronicle from 15 november to 14 december 2011 14. The south caucasus and iran in the postsanctions era. Providing shareholder governance of the south caucasus pipeline scp, baku tbilisi. Pdf oil and the search for peace in the south caucasus. The completion of the pipeline linking the caspian and mediterranean provides the perfect. South caucasus railroad lines more detailed ethnolinguistic map of the north and south caucasus, with language family sorting nb.
Dec 01, 2006 both the us and the eu are encouraging kazakhstan to build a gas pipeline across the caspian to hook up with the south caucasus system at baku. The south caucasus pipeline scp transports gas from azerbaijans giant shah deniz field to turkeys eastern border, via georgia. On 21 may 2006, the commissioning gas was pumped to the. Oil and gas pipelines in the south caucasus, nabucco pipeline. Follow existing btcscp route as closely as possible. South caucasus pipelines automation and power management. Given the instability in iraq, even in the midterm perspective it would be difficult to bring iraqi gas into tanap and then further into europe. Thus, the tanap pipeline and southern gas project would have a limited impact on european energy security and geopolitics.
Azerbaijan, armenia, russia using faith to find karabakh peacepannier, b. Pdf oil and gas pipelines in the south caucasus, nabucco. The purpose of this series is to provide clarity and understanding of regional dynamics and interrelations. Add to that the increasing geopolitical pull of china, an increase in russian clout in its socalled near abroad after the georgian war and the possibility of a future iranian route if rapprochement with the us succeeds and these uncertainties make the future pipeline policy in. In longer perspective south caucasus pipeline will supply europe with caspian natural gas through the planned southern gas corridor pipelines, such as nabucco pipeline, turkeygreece pipeline and greeceitaly pipeline. Ceyhan btc, trans anatolian natural gas pipeline tanap and. Oil and gas pipelines in the south caucasus the web site. South caucasus pipeline sangachal, azerbaijan south of bakuto the turkish border mcdermott was awarded the feed, detailed engineering and procurement services by bp caspian ltd. Hopes raised anew about future of nabucco gas pipeline project. The islamic republic of iran and the south caucasus republics article pdf available in iranian studies 433. Total to focus on caspian sea absheron gas field the french major total and its partners, the state oil company of azerbaijan republic socar and the other french oil and gas company gdfsuez, are finalizing the conceptual design to develop the absheron offshore gas field in the azerbaijan caspian sea.
Challenges to the south caucasus regional security. New pipeline is approximately 489 km long 424 km in azerbaijan, 63 km in georgia and 2 km in tanap interconnection. South caucasus which has function as a bridge between europe and central asia, has been improved its strategic importance through mega pipeline projects, which are transporting crude oil and natural gas from central asia, caspian and iran to europe. One example with which bechtel is involved is the south caucasus pipeline expansion scpx project, a 303mile 488kilometer pipeline that extends the south caucasus pipeline alongside the existing bakutbilisiceyhan pipeline through azerbaijan and georgia to turkey. South caucasus pipeline scp, georgia, turkey, azerbaijan. The 690 km south caucasus pipeline scp carries gas west from the shah deniz field in azerbaijans sector of the caspian sea to the eastern border of turkey. The region itself is characterized by ethnic conflicts. The south caucasus is part of various political initiatives of the eu. Apr 01, 2016 the pipeline wars in south caucasus and georgia it is located in a region known for its volatility due to the existing ethnic, religious, political and military tensions after the collapse of the soviet union. Gas from shah deniz isexported to georgia and turkey through scp, too. South caucasus pipeline expansion scpx the expansion implies the construction of a new 48 inch pipeline looping scp at azerbaijani and georgian territories as well as the construction of two new compressor stations in georgia. The pipeline wars in south caucasus and georgia it is located in a region known for its volatility due to the existing ethnic, religious, political and.
1212 414 10 246 1342 157 1470 980 1468 934 442 1000 938 241 635 1435 152 434 875 1174 697 727 699 1342 726 1377 450 342 1387 1287 335 926 81 163