Azernews.Az

By Aygul Salmanova

Over 96 percent of the work on the TANAP project for the delivery of Azerbaijani natural gas to Turkey has been accomplished, Azertac reported citing TANAP Director General Saltuk Duzyol.

Work on the Phase-1, which intends to supply natural gas to Europe bypassing Turkey by the end of 2019 is accomplished by 73 percent.

"Within the framework of the construction of TANAP, about 9,200 people are currently employed in construction sites, including project management teams and contractors," said Duzyol.

The construction work of the natural gas pipeline from Azerbaijan through Georgia and Turkey was launched in March 2015.

The 1,850 kilometer TANAP pipeline, which will transport gas from “Shah Deniz-2” field in Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe, will run from the Turkish border with Georgia, beginning in the Turkish village of Turkgozu in the Posof district of Ardahan, will run through 21 provinces, until it ends at the Greek border in the İpsala district of Edirne.

The work on TANAP project is carried out in two phases.

The Phase-0 stipulates the laying of a 56-inch pipeline with a length of 1,334 km, as well as construction of 2 measurement stations, a main line and compressor station. Within this phase, the pipeline is being built from the Turkish-Georgian border to the Eskisehir Province. It is planned to complete the work by the end of June 2018 and ensure first supply of gas. First year Turkey will get 2 billion cubic meters of gas. Over the next three years, supplies will be increased to 6 billion cubic meters.

The Phase-1 involves the laying of a 48-inch pipeline, the construction of two measuring stations and two 36-inch threads across the Dardanelles Strait.

The pipeline is planned to be commissioned in 2018. It is planned to supply 6 billion cubic meters of gas to Turkey and 10 billion cubic meters — to Europe. By 2023, TANAP's capacity will rise to 23 bcm per year and then to 31 bcm by 2026. The project will require approximately 150,000 pieces of pipe and 1.2 million tons of steel pipes will be used in the project.

Since the beginning of 2020, TANAP will take gas from the South Caucasus Pipeline to Greece, Albania and to Europe via Italy, by joining the TAP pipeline. TANAP shareholders’ share in the project is as follows: Southern Gas Corridor CJSC - 58 percent, Botas - 30 percent and BP - 12 percent.

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