BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.11
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which are set to transport Azerbaijani gas to Europe, are among main projects for Greece’s national interest, Trend reports citing the country’s National energy and climate plan.
“Greece continues to be a growing market for natural gas exploration and production in the Eastern Mediterranean. The project of conversion of the depleted offshore natural gas field of South Kavala to the country's first Underground Gas Storage (UGS) facility in conjunction with the FSRU project in Alexandroupolis and the TAP and IGB, acquires great value in the Greek and Balkan markets,” reads the document.
The hydrocarbon exploration and development program in Greece, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline, Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria and EastMed are important projects that enhance the diversification of EU energy supply, ensure security of supply and reduce energy dependence on third countries, Greece believes.
“Among the main projects of national and international interest are the completion and operation of the TAP pipeline, Implementation of IGB, the the study of the Turkey-Greece-Italy interconnector (ITGI); the design and implementation of the EastMed pipeline and others.”
TAP project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries. TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).
The initial capacity of TAP will be 10 billion cubic meters per year with the possibility of expanding to 20 billion cubic meters.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
TAP can also ensure gas supply to several countries in South-East Europe, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and other countries by connecting to the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP).
Bulgaria can receive gas via the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB).
Some large European markets, such as Germany, France, UK, Switzerland and Austria can receive gas from Italy, which is the end point of TAP.
IGB is a gas pipeline, which will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas, in particular, the gas produced from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz 2 gas and condensate field. IGB is expected to be connected to TAP via which gas from the Shah Deniz field will be delivered to the European markets.
The pipeline’s length will be 182 kilometers.
In the first stage, the pipeline capacity will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas, of which 2.7 billion cubic meters will be offered for long-term market, the remaining share of 0.3 billion cubic meters for short-term market.
In a second phase, depending on the evolution of the market, the capacity of the pipeline can be increased to 5.3 billion cubic meters of gas thanks to the addition of a compression station: 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas will be offered for long-term market and 0.5 billion cubic meters will be offered for short-term market.
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