TANAP construction will start in 2014

Construction of the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline (TANAP) is planned to begin in 2014, head of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR), Rovnag Abdullayev told Trend.

He said at present work is underway on the design, determining of land plots through which the pipeline will run, as well as to draw up reports on the impact on environment and social sphere.

All work is carried out in accordance with set plans, Abdullayev said.

According to preliminary data, the partners intend to distribute a 29 percent share in TANAP as follows: Statoil and BP are to receive 12 per cent each and Total would get 5 percent.

Presently, a 20-percent share in TANAP belongs to Turkish BOTAS and TPAO, while 80 percent is owned by the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR). SOCAR intends to retain 51 percent of the equity in the project. Turkey will keep 20 percent of the equity.

TANAP project envisages construction of the pipeline from the eastern border of Turkey to the country's western border to supply gas from Azerbaijani Shah Deniz gas field to Europe through Turkey.

The initial capacity of the pipeline is expected to reach 16 billion cubic meters a year. About six billion cubic meters will be delivered to Turkey, and the rest - to Europe.


/Trend/