Trans Adriatic Pipeline submits Independent Natural Gas application to Greek regulator

Offshore staff

BAAR, Switzerland – The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has submitted its application for the construction of an Independent Natural Gas System to RAE, the Greek Regulatory Authority for energy.

TAP’s Greek section of the pipeline will be approximately 465 km (289 mi) long and will commence at Komotini, where it ties into the national grid system. The pipeline will then cross Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, coming ashore in southern Italy.

Rikard Scoufias, TAP’s country manager in Greece, said: “TAP’s INGS submission follows shortly after on our TPA (Third Party Access) exemption application last month and constitutes a key element of the final steps towards concluding the permitting process for construction of the TAP pipeline. The construction itself, which is backed by some of the largest European energy companies (Statoil, EGL and E.ON), is expected to bring in excess of €1.5 billion ($2.1 billion) investment into Greece and to generate approximately 2,000 jobs. I am very pleased to see how well we are progressing with the Greek authorities regarding our various permits. Our commitment to Greece stands as firm as ever, and we are looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”

TAP will be ready to begin pipeline operations in time for first export gas west of Turkey (expected in 2017/18) from Shah Deniz.

09/15/2011