(MENAFN- Trend News Agency ) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb.7
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) project, which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Europe, is in the intensive stage, said Albanian Minister of Infrastructure and energy Damian Gjiknuri.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the US Department of State Sue Saarnio, said a message from Albanian Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed intensification of cooperation between Albania and the US in making efforts to increase energy security in Europe.
In this regard, they focused on the Southern Gas Corridor project, especially the construction of TAP pipeline.
Gjiknuri briefed the US official about the steps taken by Albanian government to facilitate the construction of this very important project that will change the country's energy map.
The minister also highlighted the US support to the Ionian Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) project that affects not only Albania but Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia.
'At the time when TAP project is already in the intensive stage of implementation, we are working closely with the neighboring countries to make a reality with IAP,' said Gjiknuri.
He pointed out that as part of diversification of energy sources, Albania has already completed the master plan for gasification of the country.
The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.
At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.
As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
TAP, worth 4.5 billion euros, is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.
The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy's south.
TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).
TAP's shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).
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