Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) has awarded to Saipem SpA the contract for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Installation (EPCI) for the offshore section of the project. TAP’s 36-inch offshore pipeline across the Adriatic Sea – between the coastlines of Albania and southern Italy – will be approximately 105 km in length, down to approximately 820 meters below sea level at the deepest.

The EPCI scope comprises associated civil works at the landfalls in both Albania and Italy (including micro tunnel), offshore pipeline installation, offshore fiber optic cable supply and installation, as well as pre-commissioning and survey activities. The coated offshore 36-inch line pipes, the anodes and the buckle arrestors will be provided by TAP.

Ian Bradshaw, Managing Director at TAP, said: “I want to congratulate Saipem SpA for securing this important assignment and thank all the companies that participated in this tender round. While offshore construction raises specific challenges, Saipem SpA’s robust technical bid, strong safety track record and experienced team of specialists reassure us that works will be executed to the highest standards and industry best practice.”

Saipem is one of the world leaders in drilling services, as well as in the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of pipelines and complex projects, onshore and offshore, in the oil & gas market. The company has distinctive competences in operations in harsh environments, remote areas and deepwater, provides a full range of services with “EPC” and “EPCI” contracts and has distinctive capabilities and unique assets with a high technological content. Saipem operates in 60 countries, has approximately 43,000 employees and 2015 revenues of 11.5bn.

In 2015, TAP has awarded several contracts: construction and rehabilitation of access roads and bridges in Albania (April 2015), large diameter ball valves and actuators (July 2015), turbo compressors (September 2015), fittings, isolating joints and scraper traps (October 2015), 270km onshore line pipe and bends (October 2015), 495km of onshore line pipes (November 2015) as well as Italy onshore pipeline construction and pipeline receiving terminal (December 2015). In March 2016, TAP awarded the onshore pipeline construction contracts.

About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross 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, including Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia and others. TAP’s landfall in Italy provides multiple opportunities for further transport of Caspian natural gas to some of the largest European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.

TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.

TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam S.p.A. (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).

About Saipem SpA

Saipem is one of the world leaders in drilling services, as well as in the engineering, procurement, construction and installation of pipelines and complex projects, onshore and offshore, in the oil & gas market. The company has distinctive competences in operations in harsh environments, remote areas and deepwater. Saipem provides a full range of services with “EPC” and “EPCI” contracts (on a “turn-key” basis) and has distinctive capabilities and unique assets with a high technological content.