Italy signs decree of environmental compatibility for TAP
By Aynur Jafarova
Italy's Environment Minister Gianluca Galletti has signed a decree of environmental compatibility of the project submitted by the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) for the Italian section of the pipeline.
"The approval comes after extensive engagement with all those involved including regular discussion with local communities, public consultation and close cooperation with those national and regional authorities involved in the process," TAP said on September 12. "TAP is committed to responsibly deliver a world-class project in Italy and will continue to work closely and collaboratively with all those involved."
The final EIA report is in full accordance with both Italian and EU legislation and follows the international requirements of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
The Shah Deniz field, one of the world's largest gas-condensate fields, was discovered in 1999. Its reserves are estimated at 1.2 trillion cubic meters of gas. Overall, the field has proven to be a secure and reliable supplier of gas to Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, and Europe.
The gas which will be produced at the second stage of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field development will be the main source of the Southern Gas Corridor, which envisages the transportation of the Caspian gas to European markets.
The Shah Deniz consortium announced the selection of TAP as the main route for transporting its gas to Europe in late June. Another pipeline which was vying for Azerbaijan's gas transportation to Europe was Nabucco West.
Azerbaijan agreed to sell over 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from the second phase of its Shah Deniz development to nine companies in the European Union in September 2013.
The contracts were signed for 25 years between SOCAR and the European utilities, including Axpo Trading AG, Bulgargaz EAD, Depa, Gas Natural Fenosa, Hera Trading Srl, Shell Energy Europe, Enel SpA, E.ON SE, and GDF Suez SA.
The initial capacity of TAP will amount to 10 billion cubic meters per annum with the possibility of expanding to 20 billion cubic meters per annum. The TAP's construction project is planned to start in 2015.