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Ambassador: TAP vital project for Greece

Oil&Gas Materials 2 September 2019 14:58 (UTC +04:00)

Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept.2

By Sara Israfilbayova - Trend:

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is a vital project for Greece and the EU, Greek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nicolaos D. Kanellos told Trend.

The ambassador went on to say that it is an important first step towards enhancing energy security in Europe as a whole within the context of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC).

“We are working very hard, together with the other two countries – Italy, Albania in order to get the gas flowing according to the schedule,” the ambassador underlined.

According to Kanellos, TAP is one of the largest direct foreign investments for Greece, placing the country firmly on the energy map of Southeast Europe.

The diplomat also touched upon the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), adding that the sides determined to complete the construction of the pipeline.

“About one bcm/year of its initial capacity is expected to be used for carrying Azerbaijani gas from TAP to Bulgaria. We are cooperating closely with Sofia on the IGB issue. TAP interconnection with IGB is very important,” he stressed.

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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