Baku: In the first half of 2026, the South Caucasus Pipeline Company (SCPC) reported a significant increase in its expenditures, with operational costs reaching approximately $41 million and capital expenditures totaling $19 million. The pipeline, which has been operational since late 2006, plays a crucial role in transporting Shah Deniz gas to Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, BP’s report on its activities in Azerbaijan for the first half of 2026 highlights the financial commitments made to maintain and expand the pipeline’s operations. The expanded section of the pipeline began commercial deliveries to Trkiye in June 2018 and extended its reach to Europe by December 2020, underscoring its strategic importance in the region’s energy supply chain.
Throughout the first six months of 2026, the pipeline maintained a daily average export throughput of 63.7 million cubic metres of gas. This operational milestone reflects the pipeline’s capacity to meet the energy demands of its target markets efficiently.
On 1 July 2026, the operatorship of the South Caucasus Pipeline was transferred from BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited to SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SOCAR. This transition marks a new phase in the pipeline’s management, potentially influencing its future operations and development strategies.
The SCPC’s shareholder structure includes bp with a 29.99% stake, SGC holding 21.02%, LUKOIL with 19.99%, TPAO at 19.00%, and NICO owning 10.00%. This diverse ownership indicates the collaborative international efforts underpinning the pipeline’s functionality and success.