Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.24
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The construction of the compressor stations in Greece and Albania is proceeding well, TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati said in an interview with Trend.
“Overall progress at Fier in Albania is nearly 74 percent complete and at Kipoi in Greece, is 79 percent complete,” he said.
Schieppati pointed out that works are well advanced on buildings, mechanical and piping, with the electrical and instrumentation scope under way at both stations.
“The piping fabrication at Kipoi is complete and over 90 percent of the piping is installed, with hydro strength testing progressing on schedule. The three compressor units are installed, and final alignment is complete, with mechanical and electrical hook up in progress,” noted the TAP managing director.
In Fier, the piping fabrication is also complete with piping installation more than 80 percent finalized and hydro strength testing underway, he said, adding that with the three compressor units installed in June 2018, final alignment is ongoing.
“At both stations our teams are working towards mechanical completion in the second quarter of 2019, with overall completion scheduled for the third quarter of 2019. Finally, our metering station at Bilisht, Albania (near the Greek border) is 72 percent complete,” said Schieppati.
TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU).
Connecting with the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network.
TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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