BAKU, Azerbaijan, Dec.18
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Over 99 percent of the pipes are already in ground between Greece, Albania and Italy as part of construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, Vugar Veysalov, TAP Head of External Affairs, told Trend.
“The Trans Adriatic Pipeline continues to progress on schedule. As of the end of November 2019, in terms of overall project progress, we are 90.7 percent complete – including all engineering, procurement and construction scope. Between Greece, Albania and Italy, more than 99 percent pipes are already in the ground (back-filled). Reinstatement along the route is 99 percent complete,” he said.
Also, TAP AG has worked over 46 million man-hours and driven approximately 130 million kilometres without any major accident, added Veysalov.
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
First gas deliveries to Europe via TAP will start in October 2020.
TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian gas to the wider European markets.
TAP promotes economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it is also a major source of foreign direct investment.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
---
Follow the author on Twitter: @Lyaman_Zeyn
