Trans Adriatic Pipeline begins commercial operations
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), an 878-kilometre gas transportation system crossing Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea and Italy, said on November 15 that the pipeline began commercial operations. The project aims to increase Europe’s diversification of sources and routes especially as the European Union looks to decrease its reliance on Russia.
The project was delivered on schedule four and a half years after the inauguration of construction works in Thessaloniki, TAP said in a press release.
TAP is the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, a gateway project that will transport 10 billion cubic metres per year of new gas supplies from Azerbaijan to multiple markets in Europe. The TAP system operates in line with internationally recognised quality, health, safety and environmental standards, and is designed with the potential to double its throughput capacity to 20 billion cubic metres per year.
“Today, a long-term vision has become a reality! I am extremely proud of this achievement, made possible –first and foremost– thanks to the dedication and commitment of our people and everyone involved, the solid trust and unwavering support of our shareholders, all governments in the value chain and the European Union, as well as the suppliers and contractors that worked on the project, TAP’s Managing Director Luca Schieppati said. “As a new transmission system operator, developed and built-in compliance with best industry practices and standards, TAP enables double diversification: a new, reliable and sustainable energy route and source of gas reaching millions of European end-users, for decades to come,” he added.
TAP’s Board of Directors Chairman Murad Heydarov hailed the Southern Gas Corridor as the pioneering carrier of natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe and one of the most modern and reliable systems currently available for transporting energy. “As a key component of the 3,500km Southern Gas Corridor, TAP combines strategic and market competitive features. It ensures that Europe can receive supplies from yet another source, while supporting the key EU objectives of achieving an integrated energy market, and a sustainable, secure and diversified energy mix, contributing to ongoing streams towards clean energy transition,: Heydarov said.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%). TAP’s shareholders have passed the resolution on the development and construction of the project at the end of 2013.
