Azerbaijan, Baku, Sept. 25 / Trend A.Badalova /
Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has begun engaging directly with the Trans Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP), Michael Hoffmann, TAP External Affairs Director told in interview with Trend.
"We had a very constructive meeting with TANAP team in Ankara four weeks ago. The potential interface between the two projects was the main subject of the discussions," Hoffmann said.
The purpose of this first meeting, according to Hoffmann, was to share information about the projects, including the schedule, capacity, establich a means to coordinate etc.
He also noted that both sides have agreed to set up regular meetings and to continue their engagement, which will be mainly of a technical nature.
TAP project is designed to transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy and further into Western Europe.
TAP's initial pipeline capacity will be 10 billion cubic metres per year, expandable to 20 billion cubic metres 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).
Earlier this year Shah Deniz consortium made TAP a priority route for export of Azerbaijani gas to Italy.
Currently, the Shah Deniz consortium considers two options to deliver its gas to Europe -TAP and Nabucco West. The final decision on a pipeline route will be made in 2013.
TANAP project envisages construction of the pipeline from the eastern border of Turkey to the country's western border to supply gas from Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas field to Europe through Turkey.
On June, 26 Azerbaijan and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement on TANAP implementation.
At present, a 20 per cent share in TANAP belongs to Turkish BOTAS, 80 per cent and the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). The initial capacity of the pipeline is expected to reach 16 billion cubic meters a year. About six billion cubic meters will be delivered to Turkey, and the rest - to Europe.