Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 3 /Trend, A.Badalova/
The proposals of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) presents for Azerbaijani gas commercially strong, technologically state-of-the-art and environmentally sound transportation solution, the TAP report on executive summary of the project's proposal submitted the Shah Deniz Consortium reads.
"By providing a cost-efficient and reliable pipeline that completes the connection between the Azerbaijani field and a European market with attractive gas prices, TAP will play a key part in helping the Shah Deniz Consortium companies realize the values these gas volumes represent," the report reads.
The Trans Adriatic 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.
On Oct. 1, TAP along with the other pipeline projects (Nabucco, ITGI) submitted their final proposals to the Azerbaijani side, which review them in accordance with previously announced criteria.
TAP said that the project was scalable, and could be expanded to 20 bcm per year.
"While TAP's initial design capacity is 10 bcm per year several design choices lead to the possibility of doubling the pipeline capacity with limited further investment. As the crossing of the Adriatic will not be deeper than 810 metres below sea level, TAP can use a large diameter pipeline also for the subsea section. With this choice of pipeline dimensions, all that is needed for a future expansion of capacity is to add more compression."
According to the report, TAP relies on its shareholders for financial backing and governance, as well as providing technical and managerial resources to the project organization.
TAP's shareholders are EGL of Switzerland (42.5%), Norway's Statoil (42.5%) and E.ON Ruhrgas of Germany (15%).
The report reads that the project's shareholders have world class capabilities and experience in developing gas infrastructure both onshore and offshore.