BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 12. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium is fully prepared to work on doubling the capacity once the results confirm binding commitments from shippers for further long-term capacity, Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, said in an exclusive interview with Trend.
He pointed out that the first level of expansion will support the pipeline’s further expansion until the capacity is doubled, provided there is interest from the market.
Luca Schieppati noted that additional 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas as part of the first level of expansion will go to Italy and Albania.
“The strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor and of TAP has been recognized in the REPowerEU plan which calls for: the intensification of cooperation with Azerbaijan and the scaling up of TAP capacity to increase the gas supply to the EU and the Balkan countries. In July 2022, the EU signed a MoU on a Strategic Partnership in the Field of Energy with Azerbaijan with a commitment to double the capacity of the Southern Gas Corridor to deliver at least 20 billion cubic meters to the EU annually by 2027,” he said.
The managing director noted that the level of expansion will depend on the outcome of the market tests, during which interested parties could submit their bids.
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) enables the transportation of natural gas from the expansive Shah Deniz field located in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. This 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi and traverses Greece, Albania, and the Adriatic Sea before reaching Southern Italy.
By facilitating gas supplies to countries in South Eastern Europe through existing and potential interconnectors, TAP plays a crucial role in enhancing energy security and diversifying gas sources. Notably, TAP is connected to the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB), which commenced commercial operations in October 2022, enabling the provision of Caspian gas to Bulgaria and further fortifying energy supply stability in another European country. With exits in Greece and Albania, as well as its landing point in Italy, TAP offers numerous opportunities for the extended transportation of gas from Azerbaijan to broader European markets.
As an integral component of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP holds strategic and economic importance for Europe, providing reliable access to a new and significant source of natural gas. The pipeline plays a vital role in bolstering Europe's energy security, promoting supply diversification, and advancing decarbonization goals.
TAP's shareholding comprises of bp (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%), and Axpo (5%).
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