Azernews.Az

A big project, TAP is being implemented in accordance with the schedule and will be completed in 2020. Problems arising during the implementation of the project are solved, said Greek Ambassador to Azerbaijan Dimitrios Tsoungas as he met with President and Editor-in-Chief of Caspian Energy International Media Group Natalya Aliyeva.

He noted that the construction of TAP would start in 2016.

“A tender for pipelines was completed a few days ago, which a Greek company won. All the project operations are underway in compliance with the schedule,” he noted.

“When TAP is commissioned, we will see that 10 bcm per year is no longer enough and there is a need for more gas. It is evident that energy needs of the European countries are rising day by day,” the Ambassador added.

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.

TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.

TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).

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