BP to transfer operation of BTC pipeline to Azerbaijan’s SOCAR

Tuesday 02 June 2026 - 11:15

British energy company BP has announced that it is on track to transfer operational control of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline to Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR starting July 1, as part of a contractual arrangement.

The BTC pipeline, which has been in operation since 2006, is a major energy route designed to transport oil from the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. It plays a strategic role in bypassing politically sensitive transit regions and ensuring stable energy exports from the Caspian basin.

BP stated that the transition of operational responsibility does not represent a divestment of its stake in the pipeline. Instead, the move reflects existing contractual obligations, with SOCAR taking over day-to-day operations.

SOCAR currently holds a significant share in the pipeline through its subsidiary, while BP remains one of the key shareholders with a 30.1% stake. Other international partners also maintain interests in the infrastructure, making BTC a multi-stakeholder energy project.

Company representatives emphasized that the transition is part of a planned operational shift rather than a change in ownership structure. BP’s regional leadership expressed confidence in SOCAR’s ability to manage the pipeline effectively.

The BTC pipeline remains one of the most important energy corridors linking the Caspian region to global markets, with a capacity of over one million barrels of oil per day.