BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. Works necessary for achieving first level of Trans Adriatic Pipeline's (TAP) expansion are progressing smoothly, Luca Schieppati, TAP managing director, said in an exclusive interview with Trend on the occasion of the Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council’s meeting in Baku.
“We joined the 11th Southern Gas Corridor Advisory Council, an important event that brings together representatives from various Eurasian countries, international organisations, and corporations like TAP, underscoring the strategic importance of the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) as vital infrastructure for the region and beyond,” he said.
Schieppati noted that as the European leg of the SGC, TAP has consistently participated in this event over the years.
“This year, our involvement reaffirms our ongoing commitment to balancing energy security with decarbonisation. Since beginning commercial operations over four years ago, TAP has delivered more than 45 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas to Europe, covering approximately 18% of Greece’s and over 15% of Italy’s annual gas imports for 2024. By ensuring a reliable supply of natural gas, TAP plays a key role in supporting the transition to a low-carbon future, replacing more carbon-intensive energy sources, and helping achieve the EU Green Deal objectives,” the managing director explained.
He noted that looking ahead, with Europe targeting climate neutrality by 2050, TAP is well-positioned to play an integral role in the continent’s energy transition.
“Under certain conditions and limitations, TAP could accommodate renewable gases, such as hydrogen and bio-methane, further advancing the region’s decarbonisation efforts. We have also made strides in decarbonising our own operations. For instance, as part of our Carbon Management Plan 2022-2025, which sets short-term targets for reducing TAP’s greenhouse gas emissions, we achieved an overall reduction of approximately 20% in GHG emissions and a significant 58% reduction in methane emissions in 2024 compared to the annual forecast,” said the managing director.
Schieppati believes that TAP can further enhance Europe’s energy security and contribute to decarbonisation by gradually expanding its current capacity of 10 bcm per year (bcm/a).
“TAP will continue to play a vital role in strengthening Europe’s energy security and supporting decarbonisation efforts through our ongoing commitment to reliable natural gas supply, the potential integration of renewable gases, and our continued collaboration within the Southern Gas Corridor,” he added.
TAP’s expansion process
He noted that TAP’s initial forward firm long-term capacity, approximately 10 bcm/a, has been allocated to shippers based on long-term gas transportation contracts signed in 2013 for 25 years, which were necessary to underpin the investments at the time.
“However, TAP can further contribute to Europe’s security of energy supply and decarbonisation objectives, if we progressively expand the pipeline’s current capacity. TAP’s expanded capacity is offered to the market through regular Market Tests organised every odd year, provided there is interest from the market. The 2021 Market Test, which was completed in January 2024, resulted in binding commitments which will add an extra 1.2 bcm/a to the pipeline capacity by early 2026. The works necessary for achieving the first level of expansion are progressing smoothly,” said Schieppati.
He noted that this first level of expansion could pave the way for further expansions, which can be achieved in steps through participation in the next Market Tests.
“The 2023 Market Test is ongoing. The potential for further expansion and the level of such an expansion will be determined by the Market Test results. To date, TAP has progressed and continues to develop work to prepare to meet the anticipated market demands. For instance, we are working on the conceptual design of Compressor Stations for various expansion scenarios. We are also working on the development of concepts for future expansion cases to be based on electrically driven compressors,” added the managing director.
Hydrogen transportation tests
“We have outlined a roadmap to prepare for the medium/long-term transport of natural gas and hydrogen in blend with natural gas. In 2021, an initial study on hydrogen readiness verified TAP’s potential to transport hydrogen blend in the future. We are currently conducting tests on pipeline materials in an international laboratory. Results for first tests were received in Q4 2024 and are currently being assessed. The next tests have already started, with results expected within this year. Once the material testing is complete, the results will need to be thoroughly assessed. In addition, the suitability of our equipment (for the above ground installations) required for hydrogen transport are also under evaluation through a gap analysis study, and those results will need to be considered in due time too,” said Schieppati.
He noted that after the completion of these assessments, TAP could develop a more accurate understanding of its readiness for hydrogen transportation, including any plan of retrofit according to a target percentage of hydrogen blend.
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