Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct.1
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The construction of TAP’s compressor stations (one near Kipoi, in the east of Greece and one near Fier, in the west of Albania) is proceeding according to schedule, Lisa Givert, TAP Head of Communications, told Trend.
She noted that in Fier, the turbo compressors have been delivered and installed. “Electrical and instrumentation installation / fit out has commenced. Overall, the Fier compressor station construction is over 50 percent complete.”
At the Kipoi compressor station, overall construction progress is more than 60 percent complete, noted Givert.
She went on to add that all three gas turbines have been installed and buildings’ roof structure is complete. “Piping, mechanical and electrical fit out works are also in progress.”
In addition to the two compressor stations, there is also a gas metering station being constructed near Bilisht, in the east of Albania.
Works at the metering station also commenced in the first quarter of 2017 and are now 50 percent complete, added Givert.
“The construction of the compressor and metering stations is a continuous activity over a period of approximately two years, after which pre-commissioning and commissioning checks will take place. These extensive checks, which will be conducted over a period of approximately six months, are required to ensure that the new facilities are functioning as per design and are safe and ready for the transport of gas,” she said.
TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU), and has already attracted 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which approved the loan in early February 2018.
Connecting with the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) at the Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect to the Italian natural gas network.
The project is currently in its construction phase, which started in 2016.
Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagas (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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