TAP to shape Italy’s gas market in several ways: WoodMac
By Trend
Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will shape Italy’s gas market in several ways, Ashley Sherman, Principal Research Analyst – Caspian & Europe at Wood Mackenzie research and consulting company told Trend.
"Italy is heavily reliant on gas imports. Commissioning of TAP
will therefore be an important diversification of supply options
for the long term," said Sherman.
"TAP – and increased availability of gas supply into Italy – will
also help shape the country’s gas market in several ways. Firstly,
TAP will deliver gas into southern Italy (Puglia region) and will
result in additional flows between south and north Italy. Secondly,
TAP will also boost the importance of the country’s gas hub (PSV)
and integration with neighbouring markets. Finally, the gas
contracts signed for deliveries via TAP will set the benchmark for
future renegotiation of other piped import agreements in the
2020s," he added.
TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU). The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.
Connecting with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the
Greek-Turkish border, TAP will cross Northern Greece, Albania and
the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy to connect
to the Italian natural gas network.
The project is currently in its construction phase, which started
in 2016.
Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3,500-kilometer long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe.
TAP shareholders include BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).