Following the commencement of gas flows via TAP in December 2020, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG announces that a total of 1 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Azerbaijan has now entered Europe via the Greek interconnection point of Kipoi, where TAP connects to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP).

As the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP has the capacity to transport approximately 10 billion cubic meters of gas per annum (bcm/a) to several markets in Europe. The pipeline is also designed with the potential to expand its throughput capacity up to 20 bcm/a.

Luca Schieppati, TAP Managing Director, commented: “With 1 bcm of gas now safely transported, our infrastructure continues to enable diversification across multiple markets. The gas volumes delivered by TAP play a key role in providing the EU with a new source of secure, reliable and affordable energy, while facilitating its energy transition roadmap.”

Marija Savova, TAP Head of Commercial, added: “The delivery of the first 1 bcm enhances market competition and reinforces TAP’s role as a reliable TSO. TAP is particularly important in South Eastern Europe, where several markets could directly receive additional gas. Moreover, there are open invitations to participate in the July 2021 binding bidding phase of the market test for the potential expansion of TAP’s capacity.”

About the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP)

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan 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 will facilitate gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through prospective interconnectors. In particular, Bulgaria will be able to cover up to 33% of its total gas demand through TAP after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB). TAP’s exits in Greece and Albania together with the landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan 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.

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