TAP to hold another tender to purchase gas for operational purposes

The operating consortium of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) will publish an invitation to tender (ITT) on May 17 for the purchase of gas for its operational activities, including the fuelling of compressor stations, Report mentions, citing foreign media.

The supply period is from October 1, 2021, until September 30, 2022, TAP said in a statement on May 10: "The delivery points are the interconnection point of Melendugno in Italy, the Snam Rete Gas redelivery point at Melendugno, the interconnection point of Nea Mesimvria in Greece and the TAP virtual trading point (VTP), accessible for all TAP shippers owning forward firm transportation capacity for the relevant period."

TAP held the first tender for purchasing gas for operational purposes in June 2020.

TAP transports natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz field in the Azerbaijan sector of the Caspian Sea to Europe. The 878 km long pipeline connects with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border in Kipoi, crosses Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea before coming ashore in Southern Italy.

TAP will facilitate gas supplies to South Eastern European countries through prospective interconnectors. In particular, Bulgaria will cover up to 33% of its total gas demand through TAP after the completion of the Interconnector Greece Bulgaria (IGB). TAP's exits in Greece and Albania, together with the landfall in Italy, provide multiple opportunities for further transport of gas from Azerbaijan to the broader European markets.

As a key part of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP is strategically and economically important to Europe and essential in providing reliable access to a new source of natural gas. TAP plays a significant role in boosting Europe's energy security, supply diversification, as well as decarbonization objectives.

TAP's shareholding is comprised of bp (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%), and Axpo (5%).