Baku: BP has announced plans to transfer the operatorship of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) and Baku-Supsa pipelines as part of the existing agreements with regional governments. This move aligns with previously established timelines for transferring control of oil and gas export pipelines to government agencies, according to Tamam Bayatli, head of the press service of BP-Azerbaijan.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, these agreements have already facilitated the transfer of the South Caucasus Pipeline’s operatorship to SOCAR in both Azerbaijan and Georgia in 2021. The current negotiations aim to transfer the operatorship of the Western Export Pipeline (Baku-Supsa) and BTC pipelines to relevant agencies in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye. Discussions are underway to ensure that these transitions occur smoothly and on schedule.
BP’s Georgian representative office has confirmed to “Business Media” that negotiations are in progress for the transfer of operatorship roles. The focus is on returning the Baku-Supsa oil pipeline facilities in Georgia to the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation or its appointed operator. Additionally, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the South Caucasus Oil Pipeline (SCP) management roles are expected to be handed over to “SOCAR Midstream.”
Despite the planned decommissioning of the two pipelines in Georgia, BP will maintain its status as a shareholder in BTC and SCP, holding 30.1% and 29.99% of shares, respectively. The operator function transfer is scheduled to conclude by the end of the first half of 2026, contingent on reaching an agreement.
It’s important to note that the transfer will not affect the Sangachal terminal. Post-transfer, BP will continue to operate the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli and Shah Deniz projects, alongside the Sangachal terminal, while retaining its shareholder position in BTC and SCP. Following the transfer in Georgia, BP plans to conduct an assessment, which will require additional time.