November 2010 Vol. 237 No. 11

Projects

Azerbaijani Field To Supply Gas To Trans Adriatic Pipeline

Joint shareholders in the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) have indicated that the Shah Deniz II natural gas field in Azerbaijan is the initial target of gas intended for the project.

A joint statement by shareholders EGL, Statoil and E.ON Ruhrgas indicated that the TAP pipeline is designed to cater for the volumes of gas from Shah Deniz phase two that will be exported beyond Turkey into Europe. TAP shareholders consider Caspian gas to be the initial source of supply to fill TAP’s initial capacity of 10 Bcm/yr. The pipeline will not transport any Iranian gas under the current political circumstances.

The proposed 520-km pipeline via Greece and Albania to southern Italy offers the shortest route to the European market and is the most cost-effective gas transportation solution in the Southern Gas Corridor.
TAP’s schedule is reportedly fully aligned with the development of Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz gas field. Currently, the project is at the front-end engineering design stage, refining the pipeline route and preparing for the final investment decision and construction.

“The TAP pipeline will be ready when Shah Deniz phase two starts production,” said Kjetil Tungland, managing director of the TAP project.