Altogether, 28 experts from Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG, E.ON Ruhrgas, as well as national and international consultants from Exergia, Environmental Resources Management and ILF will examine the proposed routing for the TAP pipeline and possible alternatives in Greece over the next three months.
The engineers, geologists, seismic and logistic experts, as well as environmental and social professionals and cultural heritage specialists will survey various 2 km wide corridors along 500 km of the TAP route in order to identify the optimal route for the TAP pipeline.
As part of this exercise, TAP intends to engage with national and regional administrations, local communities, businesses and interest groups to gather important information on how the various routes being investigated could affect these stakeholders, and avoid or minimise any impact the pipeline route may have.
This initial phase of the route refinement study is scheduled to be undertaken from 22-27 November, with a second phase planned for early 2011.
Covering a total distance of 520 km, the pipeline will originate near Thessaloniki, Greece, and cross Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before terminating near Brindisi, Italy. The pipeline will have an initial capacity of 10 Bcm/a of natural gas. Approximately 115 km of the pipeline will be offshore. The offshore pipeline will have a diameter of 42 inches, while the onshore pipeline diameter will be 48 inches.