BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 18. Azerbaijan’s natural gas imports via pipeline soared to 2.44 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2023, marking a sevenfold increase compared to 2022, according to the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) report obtained by Trend.
The figures indicate a sharp jump from 0.36 bcm in 2022 to 2.44 bcm in 2023, highlighting the highest import volume recorded since 2014.
Historical data shows Azerbaijan’s pipeline gas imports remained relatively modest in recent years, with figures standing at:
2018: 2.06 bcm
2019: 1.01 bcm
2020: 0.17 bcm
2021: 0.50 bcm
The latest increase in 2023 underscores a significant growth trend in imports following the 0.36 bcm recorded the previous year, reflecting rising demand or supply arrangements within the country.
This spike comes amid increasing natural gas trade activity across the region and Azerbaijan’s strategic role as both a supplier and consumer of gas.
For reference, Azerbaijan’s imports were below 0.6 bcm annually between 2014 and 2022, except in 2018 when they peaked at 2.06 bcm before declining again.
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