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By Trend

A modern technology called horizontal directional drilling (HDD) has been used for ensuring the crossing of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) through Albania’s Seman river, which is another first for the country, said the message on TAP’s website.

In November 2016, TAP began complex work for crossing an approximately 1.1 km stretch in the Albanian region of Fier, which hosts the Seman river, a railway as well as a road, said the message.

“Using a modern technology called horizontal directional drilling (HDD), the team avoided trenching, reduced excavation works to a minimum and limited impact on ecosystems. All in all, another first for Albania,” said TAP.

Commenting on the issue, TAP project manager for Albania Karl Roberts said that the pipeline crosses 555 roads, 514 rivers and one railway in Albania alone and special engineering attention is paid to each crossing.

“TAP will continue to apply the highest industry standards and best practice, working safely and with care for the environment, cultural heritage and the communities along the pipeline route,” he added.

Earlier, for the first time in Albania, TAP refurbished an access bridge using a structural strengthening method that allowed to maintain road traffic open.

TAP project envisages transportation of gas from the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz gas and condensate field to the EU countries.

The 870-kilometer pipeline will be connected to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.

TAP’s route through Albania will be approximately 215 km onshore and 37 km offshore in the Albanian section of the Adriatic Sea. It starts at Bilisht Qender in the Korca region at the Albanian border with Greece, and arrives at the Adriatic coast 17 km north-west of Fier, 400 meters inland from the shoreline.

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