TAP Ready To Contribute To Creating Framework For Facilitating Biomethane Transport

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, May 15. The Trans AdriaticPipeline (TAP) is ready to contribute to creating framework forfacilitating biomethane transport, Vugar Veysalov, TAP's Head ofExternal Affairs, said addressing the Belgrade Energy Forum,Trend reports.

He pointed out that TAP's potential full expansion will not onlyaddress security of supply challenges but also could contribute toadvancing the EU's decarbonisation targets by facilitating thetransportation of new volumes of hydrogen and other renewable gasesin the future.

“Our ambition is to develop the asset for hydrogentransportation, initially in the form of a blend with natural gas 2021, an initial study on hydrogen readiness verified TAP'scapability to transport hydrogen blend in the future. Havinginvested in developing the necessary test facilities, we willconduct tests on our pipeline materials in an internationallyrecognized laboratory in 2024. We are working closely with ourshareholders, key vendors, and the industry, as the investment infacility upgrades and the percentage of hydrogen to be transportedwill likely be developed incrementally over time to align withhydrogen market demands and comply with related marketregulations,” noted Veysalov.

He noted that while hydrogen is distinctively different fromnatural gas, biomethane, classified as a biofuel, is similar tonatural gas.

“We're very much involved with the national TSOs in Greece andin Italy to see, from an industry perspective, how to contribute todeveloping regulations and creating the framework that willfacilitate transport of biomethane,” added Veysalov.

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field inthe Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 kmlong pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) atthe Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania andthe Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP facilitates gas supplies to South Eastern European countriesthrough existing and prospective interconnectors. TAP is connectedto Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB) which started itscommercial operations in October 2022, providing Caspian gas toBulgaria, enhancing security of energy supplies in one moreEuropean country. TAP's exits in Greece and Albania, together withthe landfall in Italy provide multiple opportunities for furthertransport of gas from Azerbaijan to the wider European markets.

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