TIRANA, April 14 – Italy-based Saipem SpA has been awarded an offshore construction contract across the Adriatic Sea linking the major Trans Adritic Pipeline between the coastlines of Albania and southern Italy, the consortium announced on Thursday.
TAP’s 36-inch offshore pipeline across the Adriatic Sea – between the coastlines of Albania and southern Italy – will be approximately 105 km in length, down to approximately 820 meters below sea level at the deepest.
The TAP project bringing Caspian gas to Europe is the most important project being implemented in the country with huge benefits for the country’s economy.
“While offshore construction raises specific challenges, Saipem SpA’s robust technical bid, strong safety track record and experienced team of specialists reassure us that works will be executed to the highest standards and industry best practice,” said Ian Bradshaw, TAP’s managing director.
Last March, France’s Spiecapag was awarded an engineering, procurement and construction contract by the Trans Adriatic Pipeline for its 215 km Albania section.
TAP has already launched its works in the Albanian section with the construction of access roads and bridges by an Albanian-Italian joint venture. Its route through Albania is approximately 215 km onshore and 37 km offshore in the Albanian section of the Adriatic Sea.
After the withdrawal of Norway’s Statoil, TAP’s shareholding will now be comprised of UK’s BP (20 percent), Azerbaijan’s SOCAR (20 percent), Italy’s Snam (20 percent), Belgium’s Fluxys (19 percent), Spain’s Enagà¡s (16 percent) and Switzerland’s Axpo (5 percent). With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately in early 2020.
