TAP project is more than 72.5pct complete

"The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is on schedule. In terms of overall project progress, as of the end of April 2018, we are more than 72.5 percent complete – including all engineering, procurement and construction scope," he said.

Further, Peeraer talked about the progress of the work on TAP in each country through which it will pass.

"In Greece, as of mid-May, 539 km of our right of way have been cleared, approximately 525 km line pipes strung, over 514 km welded, 434 km back-filled and approximately 331 km are being reinstated," he said.

As for Albania, approximately 193 km have been cleared and graded along TAP route, 186 km line pipes strung, 180 km welded and approximately 162 km back-filled, he said, adding that circa 120 km are being reinstated.

TAP president said this means that between Greece and Albania, TAP has now cleared and graded 95 percent of its corridor (approximately 733km out of 765km).

"Additionally, we have welded 90 percent of steel line pipes and around 78 percent pipes are already in the ground (back-filled)," Peeraer added.

He pointed out that in Italy, in line with the Single Authorization permit granted by the Ministry of Economy on 20 May 2015, TAP continues to progress its secondary permitting activities.

Further, he said that TAP’s contractor, Italy’s Saipem, is currently working in the micro-tunnel area.

"Following the completion of most of the preparatory works, they are now about to finish the digging of the pit, so as to enable the building of the micro-tunnel," added TAP president.

TAP is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which is one of the priority energy projects for the European Union. The project envisages transportation of gas from Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz Stage 2 to the EU countries.

The pipeline will connect to the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) on the Turkish-Greek border, run through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Italy’s south.

TAP will be 878 kilometers in length (Greece 550 kilometers, Albania 215 kilometers, Adriatic Sea 105 kilometers, and Italy 8 kilometers).

TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20 percent), SOCAR (20 percent), Snam S.p.A. (20 percent), Fluxys (19 percent), Enagás (16 percent) and Axpo (5 percent).