Nabucco West—Perspectives and Relevance: The Reconfigured Scenario

The aim of the Nabucco West gas pipeline is to supply Eastern and Central Europe with gas from sources other than Russia. Initially, the most likely source for Nabucco West would be Azerbaijani gas from Shah Deniz Phase 2, which would be delivered through the Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP). The 8 October meeting in Vienna of energy ministers from countries in the Nabucco West consortium and their counterpart from Azerbaijan suggests that the project is realistic. Nevertheless, the TANAP company has yet to choose whether to connect with this pipeline or the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline, which would supply the Italian market. A decision is due in 2013. This paper examines the impact that TANAP and Nabucco West could have, if implemented, on the energy security of Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria.