The Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP) is still moving forward, despite the decision from stakeholders Total and E.ON to leave the project. During the Caspian Oil & Gas Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, officials from Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR stated that Total and E.ON are planning to withdraw from TAP. Total and E.ON currently hold 10% and 9% shares, respectively, in the project.
According to reports, a spokesperson for the consortium managing the project stated that the project “remains on track to receive first gas when Shah Deniz II deliveries begin." The 870 km pipeline will bring as much as 700 billion ft3/y of natural gas from the Shah Deniz gas field, which is situated in the South Caspian Sea off the coast of Azerbaijan, as early as 2019. TAP will connect with the Trans Anatolian pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish-Greek border and run across Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy and further to western Europe.
BP, which holds a 20% stake in the project and is managing developments in Azerbaijan in partnership with SOCAR, has recently awarded a number of contracts for the development of the second phase of the gas field. Construction works on the pipeline in Greece and Albania are scheduled to commence in 2016.
Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling