BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.18
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
For the gas year 2020-2021, no planned maintenance affecting the capacity at the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) interconnection points is currently scheduled, Trend reports citing TAP AG’s data.
In the event of unplanned maintenance and/ or exceptional events, TAP will notify the market through the publication of Urgent Market Messages (UMM).
TAP staff oversee the regular maintenance, inspection and testing of equipment throughout the entire pipeline and its facilities. TAP’s culture of safety, reliability and commitment to protecting the environment requires careful monitoring of systems, such as the power supply, fire and gas detection systems, isolation valves and the security system, among others.
The pipeline right of way is patrolled on foot, by vehicle and by air. In addition, pipeline integrity is inspected by intrusive and non-intrusive techniques to identify any anomalies.
Regular measurements are taken to check land movements, geometrical and thickness changes to the pipeline, or damage to the coating.
To avoid damage to the pipeline from third parties, TAP runs a prevention, education and active reporting campaign for land owners and users along the pipeline route.
In the event that repairs are required, TAP has developed a comprehensive repair strategy. A response program and appropriate intervention process is in place for different levels of incidents, up to the potentially most serious ones.
TAP has a highly skilled technical team on call at all times, ready to address potential incidents.
Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG confirmed on Dec. 31 the commencement of gas flows from Azerbaijan. The first gas has reached Greece and Bulgaria, via the Nea Mesimvria interconnection point with DESFA, as well as Italy, via the Melendugno interconnection point with SNAM Rete Gas (SRG).
TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
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