BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 14
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Within 5 years the volume of gas that arrives in Italy from Azerbaijan through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) can double, Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, told Italian media, Trend reports.
He pointed out that this volume could cover 20 percent of Italy’s gas consumption, as compared to the current 10 percent.
"In the first year of operation, we imported more than 8 billion cubic meters, out of 10 billion. Of these, 7 billion arrived in Italy, almost 10 percent of the national consumption. Between 2022 and 2023, it is possible to reach full capacity for the 10 billion for which we have already signed transport contracts for the next 25 years,” said Schieppati.
He went on to add that the infrastructure is designed to carry up to 20 billion cubic meters.
We have a market test underway, a procedure by which we regulate the possibility of offering additional capacity. We have asked the market to bring forward the binding phase to July 2022 . If the operators, by that date, make binding offers, we will be able to start with the upgrade. In January we presented four technical proposals to expand the TAP's capacity to approximately 12, 14, 17 or 21 billion cubic meters. The pipeline must not be changed, but the existing plants must be upgraded and new pumping stations installed, if necessary,” TAP managing director explained.
As the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP has the capacity to transport approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per annum (bcm/a) to several markets in Europe. The pipeline is also designed with the potential to expand its throughput capacity up to 20 bcm/a.
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.
TAP’s shareholding is comprised of bp (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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