TAP pipeline to start construction in 2015

The Trans-Adriatic pipeline (TAP) project to bring gas from the Caspian region via Turkey into Europe is gearing up to tender in 2014 ahead of its planned construction start a year later, a spokesperson said on the 11 December 2013.

Two pipeline projects were competing to obtain the 10 bcm/y from Shah Deniz in Azerbaijan, available for the EU market: Nabucco West and the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).

The Shah Deniz consortium chose TAP over Nabucco West stating as a reason the higher gas prices in Italy and Greece. However, press reports suggest that Azerbaijan doesn’t want trouble with its Russian neighbour.

It is known that Russia has an aversion for the Nabucco project and has designed its own pipeline project, South Stream, as a means to kill the EU-favoured project.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Romania wants EU compensation for abandoned Nabucco project http://www.europeansources.info/record/romania-wants-eu-compensation-for-abandoned-nabucco-project/

ESO: Background information: EU Commission welcomes decision on gas pipeline: Door opener for direct link to Caspian Sea http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-commission-welcomes-decision-on-gas-pipeline-door-opener-for-direct-link-to-caspian-sea/

ESO: Background information: South Stream bilateral deals breach EU law, Commission says http://www.europeansources.info/record/south-stream-bilateral-deals-breach-eu-law-commission-says/

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