In 2025, approximately $131 million was allocated to operating expenses for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) main export oil pipeline, while capital expenditure reached approximately $98 million. According to data provided by the Operative Information Center-OMM, citing a report from BP-Azerbaijan, operating costs for the BTC decreased by $15 million (or 10.3%) compared to 2024 figures. Conversely, capital expenditure saw a significant increase of $54 million, representing a 2.2-fold rise.
Statistical data indicates that the 1,768 km pipeline has transported a total of 619 million tons (more than 4.7 billion barrels) of crude oil from its commissioning in June 2006 through the end of 2025. This volume was loaded onto 6,145 tankers at the Ceyhan terminal for delivery to global markets. During 2025 alone, 27 million tons (approximately 207 million barrels) of crude oil and condensate were exported via 283 tankers.
The BTC pipeline remains a critical piece of energy infrastructure for the region, primarily transporting ACG oil and Shah Deniz condensate from Azerbaijan. Furthermore, the pipeline facilitates the transit of other regional crude oil and condensate volumes from the Caspian, including volumes from Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and other SOCAR-led initiatives. The project is managed by BTC Co., where SOCAR holds a 32.97% stake and BP holds 30.10%, alongside other international partners including MOL, TPAO, Eni, TotalEnergies, Itochu, Inpex, ExxonMobil, and ONGC (BTC) Limited.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline is widely regarded as a cornerstone of the East-West energy corridor, bypassing the congested Turkish Straits to provide a direct link between the Caspian Sea and the Mediterranean. Since its inception, the pipeline has played a pivotal role in ensuring the energy security of Europe and enhancing the strategic importance of Azerbaijan as a reliable global energy supplier. The recent surge in capital expenditure reflects ongoing investments in the technical integrity and long-term efficiency of this vital transit route.
