Baku, Azerbaijan, July 25
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
Greek National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) SA has an opportunity to provide additional services for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), DESFA told Trend.
The company said that according to the Maintenance Agreement, DESFA will be responsible for the maintenance of TAP facilities along the 550km of the Greek section of the pipeline, extending from Kipoi in Evros close to the Greek-Turkish border, to Ieropigi, Kastoria, on Greece’s border with Albania.
“The maintenance agreement covers a period of five years, following the beginning of TAP’s commercial operation in 2020, while the contract also includes pre-operational support. Within 2019 DESFA provides and deploys highly competent personnel to support TAP on pre-commissioning and commissioning activities along the pipeline,” said DESFA.
DESFA said it shall perform the typical services of those required to support the operation and maintenance of a high pressure natural gas pipeline system, compression and block valve stations, following an agreed annual maintenance plan.
“DESFA also provides On Call Services for the TAP pipeline within the Greek territory. DESFA has the opportunity to provide additional services, which are unscheduled activities e.g. pipeline removal, technical and engineering support, specialized works, pigging activities etc. which are not included in the annual maintenance plan,” said the company.
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG and the Greek National Natural Gas System Operator (DESFA) SA signed an agreement on the maintenance of Greek section of the TAP pipeline in December 2018.
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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