March 2013, Vol. 240, No. 3

Projects

TAP Begins Pre-qualification Of Pipe Suppliers

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) officials have started a pre-qualification process, inviting steel pipe producers to an expression of interest in preparation for construction of the long-planned 800-km Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

TAP and E.ON New Build & Technology (ENT), which are conducting the onshore engineering for the TAP project, began the two staged pre-qualification process. Steel pipe suppliers who wish to apply are required to demonstrate they will be able to produce the steel volumes needed, on time and according to TAP’s specifications. TAP will require 400,000 tons of steel pipe for the project that will be installed over a three-year period.

Sigurd Hamre, project development director of TAP, said: “The main goal of the pre-qualification is to ensure there are enough high-quality steel pipes available on the market when TAP starts construction in 2015.”

As proposed, TAP will transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy and further into Western Europe. The project is designed to expand transportation capacity from 10 to 20 Bcm/y. TAP also envisages physical reverse flow of up to 80% to further ensure security of supply during any operational interruption of gas deliveries. TAP’s shareholders are Axpo of Switzerland (42.5%), Norway’s Statoil (42.5%) and E.ON Ruhrgas of Germany (15%).