Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 25 /Trend A.Badalova/
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is optimistic about the favourable decision by the consortium of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz field development on the preferable transportation route, which is expected late this year, ANSAmed reported referring to the TAP's official.
According to the External Affairs and Communications Director in TAP, Michael Hoffmann, as soon as the Shah Deniz consortium makes gas available on the Greek-Turkish border, the TAP will be ready for its further transportation.
"We will be ready at the start," Hoffmann said.
The TAP is a natural gas pipeline project intended to 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 initial pipeline capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters per year. TAP's shareholders are EGL of Switzerland (42.5 percent), Norway's Statoil (42.5 percent) and E.ON Ruhrgas of Germany (15 percent).
Gas produced within the second phase of the Azerbaijani Shah Deniz Field is considered to be a main gas source for TAP project. Azerbaijan plans to transport 10 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe within the Shah Deniz-2 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.
Hoffman said that work on the TAP project is continuing.
This week TAP and the Albanian Economy, Trade and Energy Ministry commenced the negotiation of a Host Government (Permit) Agreement (HGA), setting out the specific requirements to be followed throughout the project's implementation. The Agreement will define the terms and conditions under which the development, construction and operation of the pipeline will be secured through a legally binding framework.