Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 6
By Aygun Badalova - Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) will conclude the remaining large contracts within the project in the beginning of 2016, Lisa Givert, TAP Head of Communications told Trend.
These contracts include offshore pipeline construction and line pipes, compressor stations, according to Givert.
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe.
Last year TAP concluded the contracts for access roads and bridges, turbo compressors and ball valves.
Early 2016, award of major procurement contracts are expected to be completed within TAP.
"Once the procurement and other processes are concluded, TAP will then outline the cost of the project," Givert said.
The approximately 870 km long TAP will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP expects to begin the pipeline construction in the middle of 2016. The overall construction phase will take approximately 3.5 years.
First deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.
TAP's shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).