Trans Adriatic Pipeline#History

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline project was announced in 2003 by Swiss energy company EGL Group (now named Axpo). The feasibility study was concluded in March 2006. Two options were investigated: a northern route through Bulgaria, North Macedonia and Albania, and a southern route through Greece and Albania, which finally was considered to be more feasible. In March 2007, the extended basic engineering for the pipeline was completed.

{{cite press release

| url=http://www.egl.eu/eglch/en/home/media/news/archive/2007/2007_03_13.html

| title=Natural gas pipeline through Adriatic achieves major milestone

| publisher = EGL

| date=2007-03-13

| accessdate=2010-07-16

| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120308073539/http://www.egl.eu/eglch/en/home/media/news/archive/2007/2007_03_13.html

| archivedate = 2012-03-08

| url-status = dead}}

Greece was opposed to having the route of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline pass through Albania, as it would allow Albania to become the transmission hub for gas in the Western Balkans.{{cite news|url=http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/albania-prepares-to-play-role-in-the-region-gasification-03-30-2017|title=Albania Spies Gold in Projects Linked to TAP|date=31 March 2017|last = Mejdini | first = Fatjona|work=Balkan Insight}}

On 13 February 2008, EGL Group and the Norwegian energy company Statoil signed an agreement to set up Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, a joint venture to develop, build and operate the pipeline.

{{cite news

| url=https://www.upstreamonline.com/online/statoilhydro-takes-place-at-tap-table/1-1-1090893

| title=StatoilHydro takes place at TAP table

| newspaper = Upstream Online

| publisher = NHST Media Group

| date=2008-02-13

| accessdate=2008-02-16

| url-access = subscription}}

In June 2008, the company filed an application with the Greek authorities to build a section of the pipeline from Thessaloniki to the Greek-Albanian border.

{{cite news

| url=https://www.upstreamonline.com/online/tap-lays-groundwork-in-greece/1-1-1087106

| title=TAP lays groundwork in Greece

| newspaper = Upstream Online

| publisher = NHST Media Group

| date=2008-06-19

| accessdate=2008-08-18

| url-access = subscription}}

In January 2009, the TAP carried out a marine survey in the Adriatic Sea to verify the offshore route.{{cite press release

| url = http://www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com/press-releases/marine-survey-in-the-adriatic-sea-to-verify-offshore-route-for-the-trans-adriatic-pipeline-2_.html

| title = Marine survey in the Adriatic Sea to verify offshore route of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline

| publisher = Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG

| date = 2009-01-22

| accessdate = 2009-06-16

| archive-date = 19 July 2009

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090719210257/http://www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com/press-releases/marine-survey-in-the-adriatic-sea-to-verify-offshore-route-for-the-trans-adriatic-pipeline-2_.html

| url-status = dead

}} A route assessment survey in Albania started in July 2009.

{{cite news

|url = http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=11360513

|title = Route assessment survey begins in Albania for Trans Adriatic Pipeline

|agency = Balkans.com Business News

|date = 2009-07-13

|accessdate = 2009-07-18

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707210030/http://www.balkans.com/open-news.php?uniquenumber=11360513

|archivedate = 2011-07-07

}}

In March 2009, an intergovernmental agreement between Italy and Albania on energy cooperation mentioned TAP as a project of common interest for both countries. In January 2010, TAP opened country offices in Greece, Albania and Italy.

{{cite news

|url = http://www.seenews.com/news/latestnews/trans-adriaticpipelineopensofficesinalbania_italy_greece-115448/

|title = Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline Co. Opens Offices in Albania, Italy, Greece

|agency = SeeNews

|date = 2010-01-20

|accessdate = 2010-07-16

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110716040018/http://www.seenews.com/news/latestnews/trans-adriaticpipelineopensofficesinalbania_italy_greece-115448/

|archivedate = 2011-07-16

}} In March 2010, TAP submitted an application to Italian authorities for inclusion into the Italian gas network.

{{cite news

|url = http://www.pipelineinternational.net/news/trans_adriatic_pipeline_taps_into_italys_gas_grid/034550/

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110724005749/http://www.pipelineinternational.net/news/trans_adriatic_pipeline_taps_into_italys_gas_grid/034550/

|url-status = dead

|archive-date = 2011-07-24

|title = Trans Adriatic Pipeline taps into Italy's gas grid

|newspaper = Pipelines International

|date = 2010-03-17

|accessdate = 2010-07-16

}}

On 20 May 2010, it was announced that E.ON had become a partner in the project.

{{cite news

| url= http://www.ogj.com/index/article-display/6312478879/articles/oil-gas-journal/transportation-2/pipelines/2010/05/e_on-ruhrgas_joins/QP129867/

| title= E.ON Ruhrgas joins Trans Adriatic Pipeline

| publisher= PennWell Corporation

| newspaper= Oil and Gas Journal

| date=2010-05-21

| accessdate=2010-05-25

| url-access= subscription

}}

The deal was closed on 7 July 2010.

{{cite news

| url= https://www.upstreamonline.com/online/e-on-firms-tap-stake/1-1-1108182

| title= E.ON firms TAP stake

| newspaper = Upstream Online

| publisher = NHST Media Group

| date=2010-07-07

| accessdate= 2010-07-07

| url-access = subscription}}

In November 2010, TAP started a route refinement survey in northern Greece in preparation for the environmental impact assessment.{{cite news

| url = http://www.europeanenergyreview.eu/index.php?id=2556&zoek=trans%20adriatic

| title = Trans-Adriatic Pipeline begins route refinement study in northern Greece

| agency = European Energy Review

| date = 2010-11-23

| accessdate = 2010-12-01

}}{{Dead link|date=December 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On 7 September 2011, the company submitted an EU Third Party Access Exemption applications in all three host countries, which allows TAP AG to enter into long term ship-or-pay gas transportation agreements with the shippers of Shah Deniz II gas.{{cite news

| url=http://www.energia.gr/article_en.asp?art_id=24869

| title=Trans Adriatic Pipeline submits Third Party Access Exemptions in Albania, Greece & Italy

| agency=Energia.gr

| location=Greece

| date=2011-09-13

| accessdate=2011-09-13

| archive-date=29 November 2011

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111129033942/http://energia.gr/article_en.asp?art_id=24869

| url-status=dead

}}{{cite news

| url= http://www.offshore-mag.com/index/article-display/9075717750/articles/offshore/pipeline-transportation/north-sea-northwest-europe/2011/september/trans-adriatic_pipeline0.html

| title= Trans Adriatic Pipeline submits Independent Natural Gas application to Greek regulator

| publisher= PennWell Corporation

| newspaper= Offshore Magazine

| date= 2011-09-15

| accessdate= 2011-09-16

| archive-date= 30 October 2018

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181030090649/https://www.offshore-mag.com/articles/2011/09/trans-adriatic-pipeline0.html

| url-status= dead

}} The exemptions were granted on 16 May 2013.

{{cite web

|title = Commission decision of 16.5.2013 on the exemption of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline from the requirements on third party access, tariff regulation and ownership unbundling laid down in Articles 9, 32, 41(6), 41(8) and 41(10) of Directive 2009/73/EC

|url = http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/exemptions/doc/doc/gas/2013_tap_decision_en.pdf

|accessdate = 2013-07-11

|publisher = European Commission

|date = 2013-05-16

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140211100120/http://ec.europa.eu/energy/infrastructure/exemptions/doc/doc/gas/2013_tap_decision_en.pdf

|archivedate = 2014-02-11

}}

{{cite news

|title= TAP gas pipeline project gets vital legal approval

|url= https://www.reuters.com/article/energy-gas-pipelines-idUSL6N0DY2W320130517

|first = Henning | last = Gloystein

|accessdate = 2013-07-11

|work=Reuters

|date = 2013-05-17

|format = PDF}}

In February 2012, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline was the first project to be pre-selected and to enter exclusive negotiations with the Shah Deniz Consortium.

{{cite news

| url= http://www.neurope.eu/article/tap-nabucco-and-seep-still-eu-pipeline-race

| title= TAP, Nabucco and SEEP still in EU pipeline race

| work = New Europe

| last = Geropoulos | first = Kostis

| date=2012-02-21

| accessdate=2013-03-14}}

In August 2012, consortium partners BP, SOCAR and Total S.A. signed a funding agreement with TAP's shareholders, including an option to take up to 50% equity in the project.

{{cite news

|title=BP, Socar, Total pledge to fund gas pipeline-TAP

|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/nabucco-tap-idUSB5E8IH02920120809

|first = Barbara | last = Lewis

|accessdate=10 March 2013

|work=Reuters

|date=9 August 2012}}

On 22 November 2012, the TAP consortium and Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline's partners signed a memorandum of understanding that established a cooperation framework between the two parties.

{{cite news

| url = http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/2127265.html

| title = TAP Managing Director: Cooperation with TANAP is milestone for Southern Gas Corridor progress

| agency = Trend News Agency

| date = 2013-03-07

| accessdate = 2013-03-15}}

File:Υπογραφή Τριμερούς Διακυβερνητικής Συμφωνίας Ελλάδας-Αλβανίας-Ιταλίας για την κατασκευή του αγωγού TAP (8471337372).jpg (Italy), Dimitris Avramopoulos (Greece) and Edmond Haxhinasto (Albania) are signing intergovernmental agreement.]]

On 28 September 2012, Albania, Greece and Italy confirmed their political support for the pipeline by signing a memorandum of understanding.

{{cite news

|title=TAP Gas Pipeline Project Gains Support of Italy, Greece, Albania

|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-28/tap-gas-pipeline-project-gains-support-of-italy-greece-albania.html

|accessdate=13 March 2013

|agency = Bloomberg

|date=28 September 2012

|first =Zulfugar | last = Agayev}}

In February 2013, Greece, Italy and Albania signed an intergovernmental agreement.

{{cite press release

|title=Commissioner Oettinger welcomes the signature of an intergovernmental agreement on TAP

|url=http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-112_en.htm

|date=2013-02-13

|publisher = European Commission

|accessdate = 2013-03-14}}

In June 2013, the project was chosen as a route for gas from Shah Deniz II over the competing Nabucco West project.

{{cite news

| url= https://www.upstreamonline.com/online/tap-confirmed-as-shah-deniz-2-winner/1-1-1144559

| title= TAP confirmed as Shah Deniz 2 winner

| first = Eoin | last = O'Cinneide

| newspaper = Upstream Online

| publisher = NHST Media Group

| date=2013-06-28

| accessdate= 2013-07-11

| url-access = subscription}}

Later in 2013, BP, SOCAR, Total, and Fluxys became shareholders of the project.

{{cite news

|url= https://jamestown.org/program/scp-tanap-tap-segments-of-the-southern-gas-corridor-to-europe/

|title= SCP, TANAP, TAP: Segments of the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe

|first = Vladimir | last = Socor

|author-link = Vladimir Socor

|volume = 11

|issue = 8

|publisher =The Heritage Foundation

|work = Eurasia Daily Monitor

|date= 15 January 2014

|accessdate= 18 January 2014}}

In September 2014, E.ON and Total sold their shares to Enagás and Fluxys.

{{cite news

| url = https://www.offshore-mag.com/pipelines/article/16781885/eon-total-exit-shah-deniz-tap-consortium

| title = E.ON, Total exit Shah Deniz TAP consortium

| work = Offshore Magazine

| date = 2014-09-30

| accessdate = 2021-01-05}}

In December 2015, Snam joined TAP, acquiring Statoil's 20% interest in the project.{{cite news|last1=Badalova|first1=Aygun|title=Snam becomes shareholder in TAP|url=http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2471063.html|work=Trend News Agency|accessdate=18 December 2015}}

Construction of the pipeline started on 16 May 2016. On 15 November 2020, the pipeline began commercial operations,{{cite news|title=Trans Adriatic Pipeline begins commercial operations|url=https://www.neweurope.eu/article/trans-adriatic-pipeline-begins-commercial-operations/ | first = Kostis | last = Geropoulos |date=16 November 2020|newspaper=New Europe | access-date=2021-01-05}} and the first Azerbaijani gas was delivered to Italy on 30 December 2020.

{{cite news

| url = https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/natural-gas/123120-trans-adriatic-pipeline-begins-gas-deliveries-from-azerbaijan-to-italy

| title = Trans Adriatic Pipeline begins gas deliveries from Azerbaijan to Italy

| work = S&P Global Platts

| first = Silvia | last = Favasuli

| date = 2020-12-31

| accessdate = 2021-01-05}}

On 27 January 2023, Axpo announced the sale of its 5% shares to Enagas (4%) and Fluxys (1%). Both companies reached an ownership of 20% thanks to this transaction, on par with the other remaining shareholders.{{Cite web |title=Axpo sells its 5% stake in TAP to Fluxys and Enagás |url=https://www.axpo.com/us/en/about-us/media-and-politics/media-releases.detail.html/media-releases/2023/axpo-sells-its-5--stake-in-tap-to-fluxys-and-enagas.html |website=Axpo}}

On 30 January 2023, TAP announced that the first level of capacity expansion was triggered following the first binding phase of its 2021 market test. This expansion will add additional 1.2 billion cubic meters (bcm) of capacity per year to the project.{{Cite web |date=30 January 2023 |title=TAP triggers the first level of capacity expansion |url=https://www.tap-ag.com/news/news-stories/tap-triggers-the-first-level-of-capacity-expansion |website=Trans Adriatic Pipeline}}

File:TAP in Albania.jpg, Albania]]

The pipeline starts at the Greece–Turkey border at Kipoi, Evros, where it is connected with the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline. It crosses Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea and comes ashore in Italy near San Foca. The total length of the pipeline is {{convert|878|km}}, of which {{convert|550|km}} in Greece, {{convert|215|km}} in Albania, {{convert|105|km}} in offshore, and {{convert|8|km}} in Italy. The offshore leg is laid at a maximum depth of {{convert|810|m|ft}}.{{cite news|last1=Shaban|first1=Ilham|title=TAP inauguration in Greece to take place May 17 |url=http://www.naturalgaseurope.com/tap-inauguration-to-take-place-may-17-29582|accessdate=2 June 2016|work=Natural Gas Europe|agency=Natural Gas Europe|date=16 May 2016}}

The initial capacity of the pipeline is {{convert|10|e9m3|abbr=off}} of natural gas per year, of which {{convert|8|e9m3|abbr=off}} is delivered to Italy, {{convert|1|e9m3|abbr=off}} to Greece, and {{convert|1|e9m3|abbr=off}} to Bulgaria. It will be expanded up to {{convert|20|e9m3|abbr=off}}. It uses {{convert|48|in|adj=on}} pipes for pressure of {{convert|95|bar}}, 1378 psi, on the onshore section and {{convert|36|in|adj=on}} pipes for pressure of {{convert|145|bar}}, 2103 psi, on the offshore section.{{cite web

| url= http://www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com/fileadmin/pdfs/CD3130_TAP_Executive_Summary_f_web_13May.pdf

| title= Connecting Caspian Gas to European Markets. A summary of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline's Decision Support Package proposal to the Shah Deniz Consortium

| publisher= Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG

| accessdate= 2013-07-11

| archive-date= 17 July 2013

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130717160422/http://www.trans-adriatic-pipeline.com/fileadmin/pdfs/CD3130_TAP_Executive_Summary_f_web_13May.pdf

| url-status= dead

}}

Total construction costs were about €4.5 billion.{{cite news|last1=Temizer|first1=Murat|title=Mr.|url=http://aaenergyterminal.com/newsRegion.php?newsid=10816356|work=Anadolu Agency|accessdate=5 May 2017|date=31 January 2017}} A third of it was spent for constructing the section within Albania.{{cite news|last=Koleka|first=Benet|title=TAP gas pipeline crosses Albanian rocky mountains|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/albania-pipeline-tap/tap-gas-pipeline-crosses-albanian-rocky-mountains-idUKL5N22C3QY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430230420/https://uk.reuters.com/article/albania-pipeline-tap/tap-gas-pipeline-crosses-albanian-rocky-mountains-idUKL5N22C3QY|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 April 2019|work=Reuters|date=30 April 2019|accessdate=30 April 2019|df=dmy-all}}

The Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) connects TAP to Greece and Bulgaria since its start of operations in October 2022.[https://www.griechenland.net/nachrichten/politik/20476-tsipras-in-sofia-auftrieb-f%C3%BCr-griechisch-bulgarische-beziehungen Tsipras in Sofia: Auftrieb für griechisch-bulgarische Beziehungen], Retrieved 02.12.2016{{Cite web |title=Milestones |url=https://www.icgb.eu/about/milestones/ |website=Interconnector Greece - Bulgaria}}

Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG is a joint venture company registered in Baar, canton Zug, Switzerland, with a purpose of planning, developing and building the TAP pipeline.

{{cite news

| url = http://www.moneyhouse.ch/u/trans_adriatic_pipeline_ag_CH-170.3.030.511-2.htm

| title = Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, Baar

| publisher = itonex ag

| accessdate = 2010-01-12

| language= German}}

The Managing Director of the company is Luca Schieppati.{{cite news|last1=Lock|first1=Angharad|title=TAP welcomes new management team |url=https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/27062017/tap-welcomes-new-management-team/|work=World Pipelines|accessdate=27 July 2017|date=27 June 2017}}

Shareholders of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline are BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (20%) and Enagás (20%).{{cite news|last1=Badalova|first1=Aygun|title=Snam becomes shareholder in TAP|url=http://en.trend.az/business/energy/2471063.html|accessdate=18 December 2015|work=Trend News Agency|date=17 December 2015}}

There have been incidents of protests by both local citizens and government officials against the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

In Italy, the TAP required the construction of a gas terminal in a historical olive grove in the countryside near the Apulian town of Melendugno. The site presents some century-old olive trees which were explanted and transferred to an alternative location in an operation that cannot guarantee the trees' survival. This was criticised by the local public as well as environmentalists, also in relation to a deadly parasitic disease (Xylella fastidiosa) which has been affecting olive groves in the region for years, and can spread to previously unaffected areas with tree relocation.{{Cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-energy-trees-insight/italian-olive-grove-stands-in-way-of-european-energy-security-idUKKCN1240GE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315070636/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-italy-energy-trees-insight/italian-olive-grove-stands-in-way-of-european-energy-security-idUKKCN1240GE|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 March 2018|title=Italian olive grove stands in way of European energy security|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-03-14}}

Furthermore, the pipeline's landing point on the Italian coast is located under the pristine beach of San Foca, a popular destination for beachgoers. Locals and environmentalists raised safety concerns regarding millions of cubic litres of compressed flammable gas being piped only 10 metres under a beach which will be kept open to the public during the summer months.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmU4BuosgrU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/VmU4BuosgrU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Italy to hold a referendum on local autonomy|work=Al Jazeera|access-date=2018-03-14}}{{cbignore}}

Some government officials, such as multiple mayors from the area and the governor of the region of Apulia, also supported the environmentalists' opinion that the pipeline might cause more harm than good and could be an opportunity for local organised crime and corruption to infiltrate public tenders for construction work on the Italian side. They worried especially in relation to a taxpayer-funded 60-kilometre long interconnector which had to be built to link the TAP's Italian terminal in Melendugno to Italy's national gas network near the industrial port of Brindisi. In 2016, the Apulia Region governor Michele Emiliano told an Al Jazeera English crew that he could not understand why an alternative landing point to San Foca beach, closer to the Brindisi industrial area, was not chosen in spite of lower costs, less severe environmental impact, and proximity to pre-existing gas infrastructure.

{{Portal|Energy}}

• Interconnector Turkey–Greece–Italy
• Burgas–Alexandroupoli pipeline
• South Stream
• Nabucco pipeline
• Ionian Adriatic Pipeline
• TANAP

{{Reflist}}

• {{official|http://www.tap-ag.com/}}

{{Energy in Albania}}

Category:Natural gas pipelines in Greece

Category:Natural gas pipelines in Albania

Category:Natural gas pipelines in Italy

Category:Albania–Greece relations

Category:Albania–Italy relations

Category:Greece–Italy relations

Category:Pipelines under the Mediterranean Sea

Category:Adriatic Sea

Category:2020 establishments in Albania

Category:2020 establishments in Greece

Category:2020 establishments in Italy