TAP invited bids for construction of ground pipeline section

  The same source reported that companies specializing in engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of 760-km-long ground section of the pipeline (diameter 1.2 meters) passing through Greece and Albania are invited to take part in the bids .

  TAP has been selected by the Shah-Deniz consortium developing Azerbaijani Shah-Deniz field as the route for transportation of gas to the European markets.

  TAP will be used to transport gas from the Caspian region through Greece, Albania and Adriatic Sea to the south of Italy and further to Western Europe. Total length of the pipeline will be about 870 km.

  The pipeline construction is expected to begin in 2016. The initial capacity of TAP pipeline will total 10 billion cub.m. a year with the possibility of expansion up to 20 billion cub.m. a year.

  TAP shareholders include BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (16%), Total (10%), E.ON (9%) and Axpo (5%).