BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan.15
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Should there be also firm long-term demand for expansion beyond the total design capacity of 20 bcm/a, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium will investigate its economic and technical feasibility at that time, Luca Schieppati, TAP’s Managing Director, told Trend.
He pointed out that the process for expansion up to 20 bcm/a is defined through market tests.
“TAP was designed with a total throughput capacity of 20 bcm/a. The commercial and regulatory framework established for TAP prior to the start of construction was based on an initial phase with a capacity of 10 bcm/a and a potential stepwise expansion, up to a total capacity of 20 bcm/a, through installation of additional compressor units.”
TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan 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.
TAP will facilitate gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through prospective interconnectors. In particular, Bulgaria will be able to cover up to 33% of its total gas demand through TAP after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB). TAP’s exits in Greece and Albania together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.
As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europe’s energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonisation objectives.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of bp (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).
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