Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.8
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The construction of the compressor stations in Greece and Albania is proceeding well, Lisa Givert, TAP Head of Communications, told Trend.
The overall progress at Fier in Albania is at nearly 77 percent complete, and at Kipoi in Greece 83 percent complete, she said.
Givert went on to add that at both stations works are well advanced on buildings, mechanical and piping, with the electrical and instrumentation scope under way.
“The piping fabrication at Kipoi is complete and over 90 percent of the piping is installed, with hydro strength testing progressing on schedule. The three compressors are installed, and final alignment is complete, with mechanical and electrical hook up in progress. The first electrical low voltage board has been energized,” she said.
Givert noted that in Fier the piping fabrication is also complete with piping installation more than 80 percent finalized, and hydro-strength testing under way.
With the three compressors installed in June 2018, final alignment has been completed, she added.
“At both stations our teams are working towards overall completion scheduled towards the end of 2019. Finally, our metering station at Bilisht, Albania (near the Greek border) is more than 76 percent complete overall,” concluded Givert.
TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.
Connecting with the Trans Anatolian 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), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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