Tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary since construction started on the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), one of Europe’s largest and most strategic energy (natural gas) infrastructure projects. Activity in each of the three host countries is on time, on track and on budget.

Much has been achieved over the past twelve months. As of early-May 2017:

- The project has a world class site safety record with lost time frequency levels well below international norms.
- TAP’s contractors cleared approx. 49% of the project route in Greece and Albania (371km out of 765km). Also, 22.6% of welded steel pipes are already in the ground (backfilled).
- In Italy, work is ongoing with the first batch of olive trees temporarily stored, so that construction of the 1,5km micro-tunnel can start later in the year.
- Approx. 68.5% of the total 55,000 pipes to be used for the construction of the pipeline have been received in Greece, Albania and Italy.
- More than 5,200 people have been working for the project across TAP’s host countries, over 85% of which have been locally employed.
- TAP implemented a wide range of social and environmental investment (SEI) programmes in the communities along its route. 70 additional projects with a total value of approximately €15 million are due to be rolled out in the upcoming months. In total, TAP will invest over €55 million in SEI in Greece, Albania and Italy.

TAP Managing Director Ian Bradshaw said: “We are pleased with our performance. In terms of overall project progress, we are approximately 41% complete, including all engineering, procurement and construction scope. We are on track to deliver first gas from Shah Deniz II in 2020, becoming an active part of the European energy network, enabling more competitive and secure energy to reach homes and businesses.”

“I am particularly pleased that today approximately 173km of welded steel pipes – around 21 times our project length in Italy – have been put in the ground in Greece and Albania. TAP remains fully committed to reinstate land to its original condition or better. A project of this scale and magnitude will face daily challenges, however, we are well positioned to address and manage them by working closely with our teams, our supply network and alongside communities.” Bradshaw added.

TAP has an equally ambitious programme for the next twelve months. By this time next year, it plans to have completed the clearing and grading of the route across Greece and Albania and have approximately 67% of welded pipes placed in the ground (backfilled).

About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 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 economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will also be a major source of foreign direct investment. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow around early 2020.

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