Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.26
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium and Greek natural gas grid operator DESFA have discussed the details of their cooperation on operation and maintenance of the pipeline, said the message from TAP AG.
The discussions were held with participation of senior executives of the two companies.
Regarding the meeting’s agenda, TAP AG consortium told Trend that TAP does not discuss details of any meetings with third parties.
In April, DESFA and Albania’s Albgaz signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint venture for maintenance of TAP in Albania.
Earlier, a source in Albgaz told Trend that the company was in discussion with Greek DESFA but the company will not anticipate any joint venture or other form of future cooperation regarding the maintenance services to Albanian TAP section with no one unless it receives full scope of works, philosophy, strategy, and details of operations and maintenance from TAP.
“We have not received yet the scope of works as the first step from TAP AG which thinks to hire a company (local gas transmission system operator (TSO) for maintenance service in its Albanian section. Albgaz is in discussion with TAP AG and we believe to have all the chances to conclude within this year,” said the source.
TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.
The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy’s south.
TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).
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).
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