The Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline for Europe is still moving forward despite decisions from influential stakeholders to leave, a project spokesperson said.

TAP "remains on track to receive first gas when Shah Deniz II deliveries begin," a spokesperson for the consortium managing the project told the Platts energy news website Tuesday.

The 540-mile pipeline will bring as much as 700 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year from the Shah Deniz natural gas field off the coast of Azerbaijan as early as 2019. BP, which leads Azeri developments alongside the State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic, has recently awarded a series of lucrative contracts for development of the second phase of the gas field.

French energy company Total this week sold off its stake in Shah Deniz II to a Turkish energy company. A SOCAR official told Platts on condition of anonymity Total, along with Germany's E.ON, which holds a 9 percent stake in TAP, "plan to leave the [pipeline] project."

Bakudaily.az