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By Trend

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) marked the start of construction works for the 105km offshore pipeline section, said a message from TAP AG consortium.

The physical offshore pipeline installation is planned to be carried out in 2019, as per TAP’s schedule.

“This is another key milestone taking one more step towards completion of the TAP project and the start of operations in 2020. Being one of the most strategic and mature infrastructure projects currently implemented in Europe, TAP will bring a new source of gas to homes and business and boost security of energy supply in the region. Overall, our project is more than 80% complete and we are proud that works are being undertaken in line with the highest standards and industry best practice,” TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati said.

Saipem is TAP’s contractor in charge of the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the offshore section of the project. Approximately 10 vessels will be used for the offshore construction: two vessels will lay pipes and specialized vessels will be used for dredging, supplying pipes, light construction, anchor handling, towing and survey activities. A semi-submersible pipe laying vessel will install pipes in deep waters and a shallow water lay barge will be used closer to the shore.

TAP project, worth 4.5 billion euros, is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union (EU), and has already attracted 1.5 billion euros from the European Investment Bank (EIB), which approved the loan in early February 2018.