The Trans
Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has signed a Cooperation Agreement with Gr eek natural
gas transmission system operator, DESFA. Specifically TAP and DESFA plan to
enter into an agreement on day-to-day technical operation and maintenance for
the Greek section of the TAP pipeline. Other joint activities will include the
review of interconnection points with the DESFA pipeline system to further
enhance security of supply and technical cooperation.
The agreement follows the announcement on the 28 June that TAP has been
chosen by the Shah Deniz Consortium in Azerbaijan as the best pipeline route to
export Azerbaijani gas to Europe.
Commenting on the announcement Rikard Scoufias, TAP’s Country Director in
Greece, said: “Having been chosen by the Shah Deniz Consortium as the best
option to transport gas to Europe, the Project now moves into the next phase of
execution. We already collaborate with many local Greek companies and aspire to
increase this engagement. This agreement, which comes after more than 9 months
of constructive engagement with DESFA, constitutes a major step towards successful
realisation of TAP’s plans in Greece.“
Commenting on the announcement Lutz Landwehr, TAP’s Commercial Director, said:
“I am very pleased with this collaboration with DESFA. We recognise their
long-standing operational expertise in Greece, and both our organisations share
views on the importance of developing the gas markets across the Eastern and
Western Balkans.”
The longest section of the TAP pipeline will be in Greece. The Greek section of
the pipeline will start at Kipoi at the Turkish-Greek border, and will cover
some 550km entering Albania northwest of Dipotamia. As such, the project will
support Greece’s ambition of becoming an important "Energy Highway."
Furthermore, the planned interconnection points and reverse flow capability of
TAP will also support security of supply for other countries in the region.