Offshore staff
BAAR, Switzerland -- The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) consortium has started the project’s formal Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process in Italy.
Submission of the Scoping Report to the Italian authorities represents the first step in this program, designed to secure construction and operating permits.
Following route refinement studies performed between 2009 and 2011, the document includes a detailed description of TAP’s preferred route, after entering Italy at the northern end of San Foca on the Adriatic coast.
The pipeline’s offshore section will stretch for roughly 45 km (28 mi) within Italian waters from the coast to the middle of the Strait of Otranto in the Adriatic Sea. Its diameter will be 42-in. (106 cm), off- and onshore.
Special consideration has been given to avoiding sensitive natural habitats such as the sea grass meadows Posidonia oceanica.
After receiving feedback on the Scoping Report, TAP will submit the full ESIA report to the Italian authorities this fall, and expects to receive approval towards the 4Q 2012.
05/17/2011
