Anna Nicklin, Editorial Assistant
Construction of the Trans Anatolian gas pipeline project (TANAP) has begun and is expected to be 55% complete by the end of the year, according to Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berat Albayrak. The pipeline is expected to serve as a new alternative for energy supplies to Europe, which, alongside TurkStream, will allow Turkey to become gas trade centre.
The minister also noted that Turkey, being located close to the energy-rich regions, such as the Caspian Sea region, the Middle East and Central Asia, is moving in the direction of becoming an energy hub and diversifying its energy sources.
The TANAP is expected to transport gas from Azerbaijan’s Shah Deniz field to the western borders of Turkey. Its length is set to be 1800 km, with the initial capacity of 16 billion m3, and gas is expected to be delivered to Turkey in 2018. TANAP is a part of Southern Gas Corridor, one of the priority energy projects for the EU, which is expected to enhance the continents energy security and diversification of its gas supply routes.
Around 6 billion m3 of gas will be delivered to Turkey, with the remaining volume being supplied to Europe.
TANAP shareholders are SOCAR (58%), BOTAS (30%) and BP (12%).
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