Baku: The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Company (BTC Co) today announced that, effective 1 July 2026, operatorship of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil export pipeline will transfer from BP Exploration (Caspian Sea) Limited (bp) to SOCAR Midstream Operations LLC (SMO), a wholly owned subsidiary of SOCAR. The transfer applies across all three BTC pipeline sections - Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Trkiye. In addition, the management of BTC pipeline activities and operatorship of common activities relating to both the BTC and South Caucasus Pipeline (SCP) systems, currently undertaken by bp, will also transfer to SMO.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, this transition is in line with the relevant agreements underpinning the BTC project and concluded as part of the final readiness decision. The scope of the transfer includes all dedicated BTC facilities and activities, as well as BTC/SCP joint activities across the three countries, excluding those located within the Sangachal terminal. Operatorship of the Sangachal terminal remains unchanged and will continue under bp. The shareholding structure of BTC Co. also remains unchanged.
Gio Cristofoli, bp's regional president for the Caspian, Central Asia, and Trkiye, stated that today's announcement marks an important milestone for the BTC project. He expressed pride in bp's role as a safe, reliable, and high-performing operator, highlighting more than two decades of efficient and secure operation. Cristofoli conveyed confidence that SOCAR will uphold the same high standards and emphasized bp's commitment to continuing its partnership with SOCAR and co-venturers as shareholders in BTC and SCP.
Meanwhile, Rovshan Najaf, President of SOCAR, commented on the significance of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, noting its role in Azerbaijan's energy strategy and regional cooperation. He affirmed SOCAR's commitment to maintaining the safe and reliable operation of the energy corridor, thereby reinforcing regional and global energy security.
Earlier, the Western Route Export Pipeline (WREP) facilities in Azerbaijan and Georgia were returned to the respective entities acting on behalf of the Governments of Azerbaijan (SMO) and Georgia (the Georgian Oil and Gas Corporation - GOGC), effective 8 June 2026. SOCAR Midstream Gas Operations LLC (SOCAR MGO) has been the commercial operator of SCP since 2015 and the technical operator since 2021, showcasing the strong collaboration between SOCAR and bp.
BTC key facts and figures reveal that the 1768 km long pipeline was designed to export crude oil safely from the Caspian to the Mediterranean. Since its inception, BTC has contributed significantly to the region's development, creating substantial revenues for transit countries, fostering economic and political ties, and implementing numerous social initiatives. The pipeline's construction involved a massive workforce and extensive engineering efforts, with BTC currently carrying primarily ACG crude oil and Shah Deniz condensate from Azerbaijan, alongside other Caspian regional crude oil and condensate volumes.