BP, SOCAR Manage Azeri Crude After Force Majeure at BTC Ceyhan; Azerbaijan Begins 1.2B Cubic Meter Gas Export to Syria Financed by Qatar

BP has confirmed that crude oil arriving at the BTC Ceyhan terminal in Turkey from Azerbaijan's BTC pipeline is now within normal specifications following a previous oil contamination incident. The BTC Pipeline Company had earlier declared force majeure on Azeri crude exports from the Ceyhan terminal due to this contamination. BP is collaborating with Azerbaijan's state oil company SOCAR to manage the off-spec oil at the terminal. Separately, Azerbaijan has commenced the annual export of 1.2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Syria through Turkey. This gas supply, financed by Qatar, is routed via the Turkish city of Kilis to the Harjala station near Aleppo and is intended to support electricity production in northern Syria. The gas originates from the BP-led Shah Deniz gas field, according to SOCAR's Vice President.