Trans Adriatic Pipeline hits milestone in deliveries to Europe with 10B cubic meters

By Nuran Erkul Kaya

ISTANBUL (AAA) - The Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) marked a milestone in deliveries to Europe since commercial operations started in December 2021, according to the TAP company on Thursday.

TAP is part of the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor that connects with TANAP in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

The pipeline delivered a total of 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from the Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea via an interconnection point in Kipoi on the Greek-Turkish border where TAP connects to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) to Europe, a statement from the TAP company said.

"Ten bcm is symbolic, but an important milestone. A little over a year after the start of commercial operations, we have provided efficient, reliable and continuous transportation services to our shippers, making an important contribution to Europe's energy security and supply diversification," Luca Schieppati, the TAP managing director, was quoted as saying in the statement.

Of the total 10 bcm transported via the 878-kilometer-long TAP pipeline, approximately 8.5 bcm was delivered to Italy. Moreover, according to Schieppati, further capacity via short-term auctions is possible.

- TAP can double capacity within 45-65 months

Marija Savova, the TAP commercial manager, lauded the role the pipeline has in enhancing liquidity in gas markets by operating as a reliable transporter and significantly contributing to the security of supply in Europe.

She said the pipeline could double its capacity and expand in stages of up to 20 bcm within 45-65 months provided it is economically viable to do so in response to any potential requests during the binding phase of a market test.

Savova noted that the next binding phase is currently scheduled for July 2023.

"However, TAP can accelerate this timeline and launch the binding phase of the market test during 2022, provided that TAP receives interest for an earlier start in the ongoing public consultation. We invite all interested parties to take part in the ongoing market test," she added.

With the pipeline, Bulgaria will be able to cover up to 33% of its total gas demand after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB).

TAP’s shareholding comprises of bp with a 20% share, SOCAR with 20%, Snam with 20%, Fluxys with 19%, Enagas with 16%, and Axpo with 5%.