An initial capacity expansion of 1.2 billion cubic meters/year (Bcm/y) is underway on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the western connection bridging Azerbaijan’s natural gas production to Europe, as the European Union (EU) seeks to double imports through the system by 2027.

TAP AG, the transmission operator for the 546-mile system, disclosed Monday natural gas capacity will be incrementally increased through 2026 after ending a binding bid process earlier in the month. TAP, which initially opened in 2020 with a 10 Bcm/y capacity, is designed to allow for gradual expansion of its capacity to 20 Bcm/y.

The bidding process and the first phase of expansions is a part of TAP’s plan to test market conditions for achieving the EU’s plan to replace Russian gas with increased...