The TAP AG consortium, engaged in the construction of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has awarded three contracts for equipment supply to two Italian companies, which won the tender, said the message of the consortium posted on its website Oct.17.
The contracts involve engineering, manufacturing and delivery of 48” and 36” fittings, isolating joints and scraper traps, said the consortium, adding that this equipment will perform various key functions, and will be installed along the TAP route, in line with the project technical specification.
“Industria Meccanica Bassi S.p.A has been awarded two contracts: first, for engineering, manufacturing and delivery of 48” and 36” piggable T-pieces and welded elbows of different characteristics and, second, scraper traps units for intelligent pigging,” the message said.
“Piggable T-pieces will enable the connection with the block valve and compressor stations while scraper traps will facilitate the cleaning and control of the pipeline.”
Another contract was signed with Nuova Giungas s.r.l. for engineering, manufacturing and delivery of 48” and 36” isolating joints, according to the message. “These will isolate different cathodic protection systems that avoid corrosion,” said the consortium.
“I want to congratulate Industria Meccanica Bassi and Nuova Giungas for their very robust technical offers, know-how and safety track record,” Ian Bradshaw, managing director at TAP, said. “Also, I would like to thank all the companies who participated in these rigorous tendering rounds.”
“In line with our procurement schedule, TAP will award several large contracts by the end of the year, including line pipes as well as onshore and offshore engineering, procurement and construction,” Bradshaw added. “This will enable pipeline construction to begin in Greece, Albania and Italy in 2016 as planned.”
TAP envisages transportation of gas from the Azerbaijani gas condensate Shah Deniz II field to the EU countries.
The approximately 870 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy. TAP’s initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters per year, expandable to 20 billion cubic meters per year.
The first gas as part of the Shah Deniz-2 project will be transported to Europe via TAP in early 2020. TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Statoil (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).