BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 28. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) infrastructure can be retrofitted to accommodate hydrogen blends and potentially other renewable and low-carbon gases in order to decarbonize economies of its host and neighboring countries and this could occur once market demand is demonstrated, TAP AG consortium told Trend.
“TAP’s initial forward firm long-term capacity –approximately 10 bcm per year (bcm/a)– has been allocated to shippers based on long-term gas transportation contracts signed in 2013 and for 25 years, which was necessary to underpin the investment. On top of that, capacity corresponding to approximately 5% of the initial capacity is available for short-term booking through auctions in line with the European regulations via the capacity booking platform PRISMA.
TAP has also been designed to expand in incremental steps to up to 20bcm/a. TAP’s expansion capacity is offered to the market through regular market tests. The market test is the regulated process through which shippers can get access to new, long-term capacity in TAP.
The 2021 TAP Market test is currently in progress. TAP, together with SRG and DESFA, held a public consultation on the draft project proposal for the 2021 Market Test between January 18 and March 18, 2022. TAP is now analysing the market feedback and will proceed to define the timing of the next steps towards a binding bidding phase,” the consortium said.
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.
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.
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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