The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which has a capacity of 10 billion cubic meters per year, delivered its first Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria and Greece after commercial operations began in November 2020, the TAP AG pipeline operator said on December 31, 2020.
The first gas reached Greece and Bulgaria via the Nea Mesimvria interconnection point with DESFA (operator of the natural gas transmission system from Greece), as well as Italy, via the Melendunjo interconnection point with SNAM Rete Gas (SRG).
Marija Savova, TAP’s head of commerce, said: “TAP is now looking forward to starting the second phase of TAP’s future expansion, doubling the pipeline capacity to 20 billion cubic meters per year.”
TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field from the Azerbaijani part of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878km pipeline connects to the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before reaching the coast of southern Italy. TAP will facilitate gas supply to Southeast European countries through potential interconnectors.
