BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 31. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium is working on the development of the concepts for future expansion cases to be based on electrically driven compressors, Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, said in an exclusive interview with Trend ahead of the Baku Energy Week to be held from June 4 through June 6.
“TAP's initial capacity can be expanded in steps to reach at least 20 bcm per year, with future expansions achieved through the addition of new compressor units at the existing stations and the installation of new fully electrified compressor stations. TAP’s expansion capacity is offered through regular market tests in an open, transparent and non-discriminatory way,” he said.
Schieppati noted that the first level of expansion will add an additional 1.2 bcm/a to TAP’s long-term capacity, sets the stage for a potential full expansion, which could significantly enhance long-term energy security.
“Our 2023 Market Test is currently in progress, serving as a pathway towards achieving full or further expansion scenarios. TAP, together with SRG and DESFA, is planning to organize the binding phase of the 2023 Market Test in July 2025. We are optimistic for the results, considering the possibility of providing additional capacity and transportation services to the liquid markets of Italy and Western Europe,” said the managing director.
Schieppati pointed out that the potential for further expansion and the level of such an expansion will be determined by Market Test results.
“To date, TAP has progressed and continues to develop work to prepare to meet the anticipated market demands. For instance, we are working on the conceptual design of Compressors Stations for various expansion scenarios. We are also working on the development of the concepts for future expansion cases to be based on electrically driven compressors,” he explained.
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline operates a natural gas transportation infrastructure from the Greek border with Türkiye to Southern Italy, enabling interested parties to market gas to several European countries.
TAP provides a direct and cost-effective transportation route as part of the Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500 kilometre gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
Working to national and international safety and operational standards, TAP acts as a Transmission System Operator (TSO) and Independent Transmission Operator (ITO), providing capacity to shippers interested in transporting gas in a safe, reliable and efficient manner.
The pipeline starts near the Evros area of Kipoi at the Greek-Turkish border, where it is connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP). It traverses northern Greece westwards to Ieropigi, Kastoria at the Greek-Albanian border. Crossing Albania and the Adriatic Sea, the pipeline comes ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian gas network.
TAP’s routing facilitates gas supply to several South East European countries and its landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transportation of Caspian gas to the wider European markets.
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