Scheduled maintenance is beginning on the North Caucasus–Transcaucasia natural gas pipeline, which carries gas from Russia to Armenia. Gazprom Armenia, Gazprom’s regional subsidiary, announced that flows through the pipeline extending from southern Russia to Armenia via Georgia will be halted on September 15.
The work is expected to be completed by September 25. During this period, the needs of energy consumers in Armenia will be met through domestic natural gas reserves and additional imports from Iran.
Armenia’s dependence on Russian gas
Russia sent 2.7 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Armenia in 2025. This volume accounted for 82 percent of Armenia’s total natural gas imports.
Under an agreement between the two countries, Moscow sells gas to Yerevan at a discounted price of $177.5 per 1,000 cubic meters. The agreement will expire at the end of the year.
Similar maintenance work was also carried out on the North Caucasus–Transcaucasia pipeline in September last year.
Yerevan’s relations with Europe
The temporary halt in gas flows comes at a time of deteriorating relations between Russia and Armenia. While Armenia maintains its formal alliance with Russia, it has also been developing its relations with the European Union in recent years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a national referendum on whether Armenia will choose a path toward broader integration with Europe or remain a member of the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said last month that his country could soon begin the formal process of applying to join the European Union. Pashinyan said a referendum on EU membership would be held after the application.
In a statement on Friday, Pashinyan also announced that Armenia would continue advancing efforts to diversify its energy sources.
