With TAP to be constructed in 2019, gas from the second phase of Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas field development can be delivered to the EU countries in 2020. In particular, the gas will be trasported from the Turkish-Greek border through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea and then coming ashore in Italy`s south. TAP`s initial capacity will be 10 billion cubic meters of gas per year with the possibility expand it to to 20 billion cubic meters.

However, TAP has opportunity to provide access for Azerbaijani gas to more far beyond the mentioned countries. The pipeline is able to facilitate connections to several planned infrastructure projects such as the Ionian-Adriatic Pipeline (IAP) and Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB).

Lisa Givert, TAP Head of Communications told Trend that TAP continues regular interaction with IGB, as well as with the TANAP (Trans Anatolian) project, which envisages transportation of gas of Azerbaijan`s Shah Deniz field from Georgian-Turkish border to the western borders of Turkey.

"In November 2012, TAP and TANAP signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which established technical and commercial cooperation between the two pipelines and formalised a mutual framework and forum for coordinated activities and exchange of information. In December 2015, TAP and TANAP also signed an Agreement for Cooperation during Construction (ACC)," Givert said.

In addition, she said, in January 2014, TAP signed an MoUC with ICGB, the company developing Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), on cooperation to interconnect the two systems.

"In line with these agreements, TAP holds regular interface meetings with TANAP and IGB," Givert said.

IGB, which is expected to be connected to TAP, will allow Bulgaria to receive Azerbaijani gas. In early December, 2015, Bulgaria and Greece signed a final investment decision on the IGB project. The initial capacity of 182 kilometers length pipeline will be 3 billion cubic meters of gas.

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