ECONOMY
TAP transports first 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Europe
Baku, March 19, AZERTAC
Following the commencement of gas flows via TAP in December 2020, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG announces that a total of 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Azerbaijan has now entered Europe via the Greek interconnection point of Kipoi, where TAP connects to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), according to TAP AG consortium.
“As the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP has the capacity to transport approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per annum (bcm/a) to several markets in Europe. The pipeline is also designed with the potential to expand its throughput capacity up to 20 bcm/a,” the company added.
“With 1 bcm of gas now safely transported, our infrastructure continues to enable diversification across multiple markets. The gas volumes delivered by TAP play a key role in providing the EU with a new source of secure, reliable and affordable energy, while facilitating its energy transition roadmap,” TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati said.
“The delivery of the first 1 bcm enhances market competition and reinforces TAP’s role as a reliable TSO. TAP is particularly important in South Eastern Europe, where several markets could directly receive additional gas. Moreover, there are open invitations to participate in the July 2021 binding bidding phase of the market test for the potential expansion of TAP’s capacity,” said TAP Head of Commercial Marija Savova.
TAP is the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, a gateway project that will transport 10 billion cubic metres (bcm/a) of new gas supplies from Azerbaijan to multiple markets in Europe. The TAP system operates in line with internationally recognized quality, health, safety and environmental standards, and is designed with the potential to double its throughput capacity to 20 bcm/a.
TAP's shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).