Trans Adriatic Pipeline Is Complete; US Ambassador Calls It ‘Strategically Important’

After almost four and a half years since the start of construction, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline is substantially complete, said TAP in an announcement on its website which was distributed by the US Ambassador, Yuri Kim on Wednesday.
“This is strategically important. TAP will carry natural gas from Caspian Sea to Europe via Greece and Albania, making Albania an integral part of diversified regional energy architecture. Energy diversification = choice = security = independence,” said Kim.
The TAP pipeline has been filled with natural gas from the Greek-Turkish border up to the pipeline receiving terminal in Southern Italy, explained the announcement.
TAP is currently finalising preparations for launching the commercial operations and offering capacity to the market in alignment with the adjacent TSOs.
The Interconnection Point between TAP pipeline and the natural gas transmission system of Snam Rete Gas in Puglia (Italy) is expected to be completed and ready to transport gas by mid-November 2020.
TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.
TAP’s routing can facilitate gas supply to several South Eastern European countries. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian gas to the wider European markets.
As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europe’s energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonisation objectives.