BAKU, Azerbaijan, Aug.5
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG consortium, engaged in construction of the pipeline to supply Azerbaijani gas to Europe, issued the invitation to tender for ‘Supply of Gas for Operational Purposes’ to qualifying bidders on July 13, 2020, Vugar Veysalov, TAP Head of External Affairs, told Trend.
TAP AG launched an Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the purchase of gas required for operational activities, including the fuelling of the compressor stations. This tender is being conducted in preparation for the start of the commercial operations phase, scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2020.
“In line with our corporate procedures and good practice, TAP cannot disclose the quantity or the names of the companies participating in this tender process,” he said.
Veysalov noted that TAP will evaluate the proposals received and award contracts to the winning bidders in time for the start of TAP commercial operations.
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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