VNG AG Seeks Long-Term Gas Deals with Azerbaijan to Replace Russian Imports
German energy company VNG AG is in talks with Azerbaijan to secure long-term natural gas import contracts lasting 15 to 20 years. Oliver Gill, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Development at VNG AG, made the announcement during a German-Azerbaijani connectivity conference in Baku on October 6. VNG AG has already been importing gas from Azerbaijan since early 2026, though the current volumes remain modest.
Gill emphasized the importance of increasing these delivery volumes as a primary objective. The partnership with Azerbaijan serves dual purposes: ensuring immediate supply security for Europe and supporting long-term energy transition goals. The short-term focus is on stable gas deliveries, while the long-term strategy aims to shift toward decarbonized energy systems.
Azerbaijan began direct commercial gas deliveries to Austria and Germany in January 2026 through its state oil and gas company SOCAR. In June 2025, Germany's state-owned energy firm SEFE signed a 10-year contract with SOCAR, importing 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas annually, which covers more than 1.7% of Germany's total yearly gas consumption. The halt of Russian gas imports following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 spurred Germany to diversify its energy sources.
Azerbaijan currently supplies natural gas to 16 countries globally, with 13 of them located in Europe.