Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 26 / Trend A.Badalova/
Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) very much welcomes the transit agreement signed between Azerbaijan and Turkey in Izmir, which is necessary to transport Azerbaijani gas, in particular from the Shah Deniz field to Europe.
"This ensures a level playing field for all Southern Gas Corridor projects and puts in place a fair transit regime which will allow the flow of Caspian gas through Turkey and on to European markets," Lisa Givert, Head of Communications at TAP Project told Trend via e-mail on Wednesday.
Azerbaijan and Turkey on Tuesday signed a package of gas contracts, which includes issues of cost of Azerbaijani gas for Turkey in the second stage of Shah Deniz, volume of gas supplies to Turkey from the field after 2017, as well as a transit agreement for Azerbaijani gas transportation through Turkey.
The gas produced during the second stage of Shah Deniz field development is regarded as the main source for the 'Southern Gas Corridor' project. Within Shah Deniz-2 project, Azerbaijan is planning to deliver 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. Now partners in the Shah Deniz development consider proposals from these pipeline projects to determine the route via which Azerbaijani gas will be delivered to Europe.
Givert said that TAP will receive the 10bcm/a of gas from Shah Deniz II at the Turkish Greek border and transport it to Italy, Greece and other SEE countries.
"TAP will be fully operational when first gas is available in 2017/2018," Givert said.
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline project. The pipeline will transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy and further into Western Europe. The project is aimed at enhancing security of supply as well as diversification of gas supplies for the European markets.
The total length of the pipeline is about 800 kilometers.
The gas produced within the second phase of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz Field is considered to be the main gas source for TAP project.
The initial pipeline capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters per year. TAP's shareholders are EGL of Switzerland (42.5%), Norway's Statoil (42.5%) and E.ON Ruhrgas of Germany (15%).