Azernews.Az

By Aynur Jafarova

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will re-launch its procurement process.

It will therefore initiate new pre-qualifications for goods and services that the natural gas pipeline project requires, TAP said on April 15.

TAP will re-launch the process to procure goods and services in two main areas - Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) and Supply Contracts.

This year, the majority of suppliers, who will be requested to pre-qualify this year, will be requested to pre-qualify for Engineering Procurement Construction services, according to TAP's report.

These include, in particular, onshore and offshore pipeline construction services, compressor stations and Pipeline Receiving Terminal construction.

Supply Contracts include the procurement of steel pipes, SCADA systems and large diameter pipeline valves. These contracts will be managed by TAP directly.

Subsequent Contract Notices will appear over the next months.

TAP will also provide clear guidance to companies with regard to participation in the tender processes.

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 the 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.

With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately a year later.

TAP's shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Statoil (20 percent), Fluxys (16 percent), Total (10 percent), E.ON (9 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).

The selection of TAP marked the start of implementing the Southern Gas Corridor project that will allow Europe to diversify its supply sources and increase energy security, and enable Azerbaijan to acquire a new market-Europe.