SOCAR takes BTC operatorship as pipeline marks 20th anniversary
- 2 July 2026 ceremony at Sangachal Terminal marked BTC’s 20th anniversary and the operatorship transfer to SOCAR.
- Transfer covers both BTC operatorship and common operatorship of the BTC and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) systems.
- bp’s regional president praised BTC’s international significance and expressed confidence in SOCAR maintaining safety and reliability.
- Deputy ministers and SOCAR highlighted the pipeline’s role in Azerbaijan’s energy strategy, regional cooperation and economic growth.
Ceremony and transfer
On 2 July 2026 a ceremony at the Sangachal Terminal marked the 20th anniversary of the Baku‑Tbilisi‑Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline and the transfer of BTC operatorship, together with the common operatorship of the BTC and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) systems, to SOCAR.
Remarks from operators
Gio Cristofoli, bp’s Regional President for Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, reviewed BTC’s achievements and bp’s role as operator over the past 20 years, and said he was confident SOCAR would maintain high standards of safety, reliability and operational excellence while strengthening long‑term cooperation with partners.
Government and SOCAR perspective
SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf described BTC as a key element of Azerbaijan’s modern energy strategy and a strategic corridor linking the Caspian to the Mediterranean via the Black Sea basin. Deputy Minister of Economy Anar Akhundov and Deputy Minister of Energy Kamal Abbasov highlighted the pipeline’s contribution to sustainable economic growth, regional cooperation and long‑term partnerships.
Operational continuity
Elkhan Sultanov, bp’s Pipeline Operations Manager, noted his long involvement with BTC and said safe, reliable and efficient operation remains the highest priority. The transfer was symbolised when Rovshan Najaf and Gio Cristofoli pressed a control button to finalise the handover.
Source: SOCAR
