Baku, Azerbaijan, Aug.9
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The excavation work as part of the construction of a microtunnel for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) in Melendugno, Italy has been concluded, Trend reports referring to August TAP News.
The overall progress of the work now nears 90 percent and much part of the land along TAP’s route has been restored, reads the report.
“Monitoring of the seabed as part of the construction of the microtunnel has allowed TAP to learn more about the nature of the ecosystem off the coast of Melendugno. The so-called "guided launching" technique will be used to ensure that the laying of the pipeline is carried out along the route. A remote-guided submarine will transmit in real time the necessary information for the pipelay vessel to work and minimize interference with bioconstructions,” said the message.
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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