BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 27
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
During the first six months of TAP’s operation, the average utilization of the infrastructure has been in line with plan, reaching 78 percent in June, Trend reports with reference to Spanish Enagas, one of the TAP shareholders.
The operational availability of the infrastructure in the period was 100 percent, the company said.
“After gas deliveries to Europe started on Dec.21, 2020, TAP transported 3 billion cubic meters by July 1 of Azerbaijani gas delivered to Europe through the Greek Kipoi interconnection, where TAP connects with TANAP. TAP is currently working on the development of the non-binding phase of the market tests of 2021, which could lead to a future increase in transport capacity from the current 10 bcm.”
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.
TAP will facilitate gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through prospective interconnectors. In particular, Bulgaria will be able to cover up to 33% of its total gas demand through TAP after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB). TAP’s exits in Greece and Albania together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.
As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europe’s energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonisation objectives.
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