Operator of Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline passes from bp to SOCAR

Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Company (BTC Co.) announced that effective July 1, 2026, the operator status of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) export pipeline will pass from BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited (bp) to SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC (SMO), a subsidiary of SOCAR.

As reported by 1news.az, this was announced by BP-Azerbaijan.

The transfer of operator functions covers all three sections of the BTC pipeline — Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. In addition, SMO will assume management of all activities related to the BTC pipeline, as well as the operator functions for the joint support of the BTC and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) systems, which until now were performed by bp.

“The transfer of operator status is based on the relevant agreements that form the foundation of the BTC project and were adopted as part of the final investment decision. The transfer of functions covers all individual facilities and activities of BTC in all three countries, as well as joint BTC/SCP activities, with the exception of facilities located on the territory of the Sangachal terminal,” the statement noted.

According to available data, the operator status of the Sangachal terminal remains unchanged — bp will continue to perform the operator functions for this facility. The share capital structure of BTC Co. also remains unchanged.

“The stage we are announcing today is a landmark event for the BTC project. We are very proud that as the operator of BTC we have ensured its safe, reliable, and highly efficient operation for many years — whether leading the unprecedented in scale and technically extremely complex process of constructing the pipeline across three transit countries over more than three years, or ensuring the efficient and safe operation of the trunkline over the subsequent twenty-plus years. Throughout this time, BTC has strengthened energy security by serving as a reliable route for oil exports to world markets.

We are confident that SOCAR will maintain equally high standards, continuing to ensure the safe, reliable, and flawless execution of BTC operations. As a shareholder in the BTC and SCP projects, we will continue our close and long-term partnership with SOCAR and other partners. We also express our gratitude to the Board of Directors of BTC Co. and all our partners for their ongoing support, cooperation, and trust during the period when the BTC system was managed by bp,” said Joe Christofoli, bp regional president for the Caspian region, Central Asia, and Turkey.

According to SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf, the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is a long-term testament to Azerbaijan’s visionary energy strategy, strong international partnerships, and shared commitment to long-term cooperation obligations.

“Over the past twenty years, BTC has made an important contribution to Azerbaijan’s sustainable development, strengthened regional cooperation, and enhanced global energy security. The transfer of BTC operator status to SOCAR together with the joint operator status of the BTC and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) systems is an important milestone reflecting the company’s growing experience in managing world-class energy infrastructure. SOCAR is fully committed to its obligations to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of this strategic energy corridor and will continue to enhance its contribution to regional and global energy security,” Rovshan Najaf emphasized.

Earlier, in accordance with the relevant agreements, effective June 8, 2026, the facilities of the Western Export Pipeline (WEP) on the territories of Azerbaijan and Georgia were transferred back to entities acting on behalf of the governments of Azerbaijan (SMO) and Georgia (Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation — GOGC).

SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations LLC (SOCAR MGO) has been the commercial operator of SCP since 2015 and its technical operator since 2021, and during this period the management of joint BTC and SCP activities was based on strong cooperation between SOCAR and bp.

bp and SOCAR worked closely to ensure the safe and orderly transfer of all facilities and related activities covered by the operator change process, as well as the reliable and uninterrupted continuation of pipeline operations during this period.