BAKU, Azerbaijan, Oct.15
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
To allow for the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) capacity to be expanded to 20 billion cubic metres (bcm), two more compressor stations are needed, a new one near Serres in Greece and one at Bilisht in Albania, where TAP will convert the existing metering station into a compressor station, fitting additional turbo compressors, Trend reports citing TAP AG consortium.
The pipeline has a feature known as “physical reverse flow”, which allows for gas from Italy to reach South East Europe if energy supplies are disrupted, or more pipeline capacity is required.
TAP does not offer physical reverse flow as a commercial product. This will only be provided for emergency operations in accordance with TAP’s regulatory framework.
Along its route, TAP can facilitate connections to a number of existing and proposed pipelines. This design ensures the Southern Gas Corridor can open up supply to many different energy markets. This may also enable the future delivery of Caspian gas to destinations throughout South Eastern, Central and Western Europe.
After almost four and a half years since the start of construction, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline is substantially complete.
The TAP pipeline has been filled with natural gas from the Greek-Turkish border up to the pipeline receiving terminal in Southern Italy.
TAP is currently finalizing preparations for launching the commercial operations and offering capacity to the market in alignment with the adjacent TSOs.
The Interconnection Point between TAP pipeline and the natural gas transmission system of Snam Rete Gas in Puglia (Italy) is expected to be completed and ready to transport gas by mid-November 2020.
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