Name and Location
Trans-Adriatic natural gas pipeline project, Caspian region and Europe.

Client
Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is a joint venture company, established to plan, develop and build the Trans-Adriatic natural gas pipeline.
TAP comprises BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (16%), Total (10%), E.ON (9%) and Axpo (5%).

Project Description
The pipeline will transport natural gas from the Caspian region to Europe.

It will also transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz 2 field, in Azerbaijan, which is scheduled to come on stream in 2018 through Greece and Albania, across the Adriatic Sea to Southern Italy and to Western Europe.

The pipeline will be about 870 km long, covering 550 km through Greece; 210 km through Albania; 105 km offshore through the Adriatic Sea; and 5 km through Italy.

The onshore section of the pipeline will be 1.2 m in diameter, while the offshore segment will be 0.91 m in diameter.

Two compressor stations, one near Kipoi, in Greece, and the other on the Albanian coast, near Fier, will be used to ensure gas transportation through the pipeline.

A pipeline-receiving terminal (PRT) and a combined pressure-reduction, metering and pigging station will be located in the province of Lecce, Italy, with a tie-in to the Italian grid at the boundary of the terminal. The central control centre for the entire pipeline system will also be located at the PRT, with a backup centre in Albania.

The project is designed to increase transportation capacity from 10-billion cubic metres to 20-billion cubic metres a year, depending on supply and demand.

The project will also enable the development of natural gas storage facilities in Albania to further ensure security of supply to European markets during any operational interruptions.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
The pipeline developers plan to begin construction in early 2015 to be ready for first gas from Shah Deniz by 2019.

Latest Developments
In December 2013, TAP’s shareholders passed a resolution for the development and construction of the Trans Adriatic natural gas pipeline project. This followed the announcement by the Shah Deniz Consortium that it had taken the final investment decision on the Shah Deniz Stage 2 project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
TAP, tel +41 41 747 3400 or fax +41 41 747 3401.