ECONOMY
Construction of TAP’s compressor stations is proceeding according to schedule
Baku, July 15, AZERTAC
“About half of the construction of the of Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) compressors and metering stations has been completed,” Head of Communications at Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) Lisa Givert has told AZERTAC in an exclusive interview.
“The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is on schedule. In terms of overall project progress, as of the end-May 2018, we were more than 74% complete – including all engineering, procurement and construction scope. The construction of TAP’s compressor stations (one near Kipoi, in the east of Greece and one near Fier, in the west of Albania) began in the first quarter of 2017 and is proceeding according to schedule,” she noted.
Givert mentioned that in Fier, the turbo compressors have been delivered and installed, as well as overall, the Fier compressor station construction is over 40% complete. “At the Kipoi compressor station, overall construction progress is more than 50% complete. All three gas turbines have been installed and the building superstructures are almost ready. Piping, mechanical and electrical fit out works have commenced. “In addition to the two compressor stations, there is also a gas metering station being constructed near Bilisht, in the east of Albania. Works at the metering station also commenced in the first quarter of 2017 and are now 40% complete.”
“The construction of the compressor and metering stations is a continuous activity over a period of approximately two years, after which pre-commissioning and commissioning checks will take place. These extensive checks, which will be conducted over a period of approximately six months, are required to ensure that the new facilities are functioning as per design and are safe and ready for the transport of gas,” Givert added.
Once built, TAP will offer a direct and cost-effective transportation route opening up the vital Southern Gas Corridor, a 3500-kilometre long gas value chain stretching from the Caspian Sea to Europe. 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 shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).