The pipeline is planned to be built in five lots including three lots in Greece and two lots in Albania.
In particular, a joint venture comprised of Bonatti and J&P Avax has been selected for the development of two lots in northern Greece. The 360km pipeline will run between Kavala and Ieropigi near Albanian border.
TAP also selected Spiecapag to build 185km pipeline, representing the third lot, in Greece, between Kipoi and Kavala.
The firm will also construct two lots in Albania. The 215km pipeline will stretch from Bilisht to Topoje.
Additionally, Spiecapag will be responsible for the pipeline river crossing at the Greek-Turkish border, where TAP will be connecting to the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP).
The contracts come on heels of the European Union (EU) regulators’ approval for the agreement between the Greece and the TAP, allowing the transport of the natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe.
Designed to transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe starting in 2020, the five-year 878km TAP pipeline project is estimated to cost €5.6bn, including €2.3bn in Greece.
The pipeline will connect with the TANAP at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before connecting to the Italian market.
The project is being developed as part of the Southern Corridor program, which aims to diversify European energy sector.
BP, SOCAR and Snam each hold 20% interest in the TAP project while other partners include Fluxys with 19%, Enagás 16% and Axpo 5%.
Image: The Trans Adriatic Pipeline will transport natural gas from the Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. Photo: courtesy of Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
