TAP Most "Cost Effective and Reliable" Pipeline for Europe
The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is the only pipeline capable of bringing gas to south eastern Europe, TAP Managing Director Kjetil Tungland has said.
Speaking at the the first South Eastern Europe Gas Forum in Brussels yesterday, Mr. Tungland said that the TAP was the only pipeline capable of transporting gas in a "cost effective", "reliable" and "commercial way".
"Many countries in South Eastern Europe are keen to secure supplies of gas in to the region from the Shah Deniz Phase II development and other potential Caspian sources," he said.
"TAP is the only pipeline which can fulfil this vision in a cost-effective, technically reliable and commercial way. In order to turn this vision into reality, it is important that the Shah Deniz consortium makes the appropriate decision soon. Once TAP is realised, then the connections to the South Eastern European markets--through the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline and other systems--can be implemented quickly."
Speaking on behalf of Croatian gas transmission operator Plinacro, President of the Board Jerko Jelić-Balt said that Plinacro believed that TAP would be the most successful option of all the pipelines in development.
"Of all the projects in the Southern Gas Corridor TAP is the one which has been developed to the greatest extent," he said.
"This is why Plinacro is focused on the synergy between the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline and TAP. Beyond the construction of gas infrastructure and gas market development in the region, TAP and the IAP will support regional integration, bringing large political benefits for Europe as well."
The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline is expected to carry between 10 and 20 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas each year. The pipe is to be constructed over a distance of 800 kilometres, travelling from the Greek-Turkish border, through Albania and the Adriatic Sea, and will end in Italy where it will connect to the Italian gas distribution system.
TAP, together with the Nabucco pipeline project and the ITGI project, have made competing submissions to the Shah Deniz consortium to secure gas supplies from the second development phase of the Azeri gas field.