The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is substantially complete after almost four and a half years since the start of construction, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline company announced on Monday.
According to a company statement, the TAP pipeline has been filled with natural gas from the Greek-Turkish border up to the pipeline-receiving terminal in southern Italy.
'TAP is currently finalizing preparations for launching the commercial operations and offering capacity to the markets,' the company said.
It added that the interconnection point between the TAP pipeline and the natural gas transmission system of Snam Rete Gas in Puglia (Italy) is due for completion and should be ready to transport gas by mid-November 2020.
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe.
The 878-kilometer-long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in southern Italy.
'TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian gas to the wider European markets,' the statement read.
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 decarbonization objectives,' the company underlined.
TAP’s shareholding consists of BP, SOCAR and Snam, each with a 20% share, Fluxys with 19%, Enagas with 16% and Axpo with 5%.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr