“TAP's market test will continue with the binding bidding phase in July. We expect to have clarity on results by October,” said TAP Managing Director Luca Schieppati.

“TAP will conduct market tests at least every 2 years, to offer the expansion capacity (up to TAP’s total capacity of 20 bcm/a),” he added.

The three transmission system operators – Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG, Snam Rete Gas (SRG) and DESFA (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “TSOs”) – announced that the binding bidding phase of the ongoing market test would take place in July 2021. Given the recent market conditions, the TSOs would like to allow more time for energy markets to recover.

TAP launched a market test to allow natural gas shippers to express interest, and in a later phase, secure access to new, long-term capacity in TAP, thereby enabling the future expansion of the pipeline capacity.

Four and a half years after the inauguration of construction works in Thessaloniki, the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), an 878-km gas transportation system crossing Greece, Albania, the Adriatic Sea and Italy, began commercial operations.

A diverse team of industry professionals worked diligently and effectively under challenging conditions to safely deliver a strategic piece of energy infrastructure on schedule.

TAP is the European leg of the Southern Gas Corridor, a gateway project that will transport 10 billion cubic metres (bcm/a) of new gas supplies from Azerbaijan to multiple markets in Europe. The TAP system operates in line with internationally recognized quality, health, safety and environmental standards, and is designed with the potential to double its throughput capacity to 20 bcm/a.

The 878km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross northern Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy, where it will connect to Italy’s gas transportation grid operated by SNAM Rete Gas.

TAP is the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor, enhancing Europe’s energy security and contributing to decarbonisation and the diversification of gas supplies.

TAP’s shareholders include BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Snam (20%), Fluxys (19%), Enagás (16%) and Axpo (5%).

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