TAP connection with Balkan pipelines seems promising for Azerbaijan, expert says

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline project may be used in order to provide Eastern Europe with Azerbaijani gas. The pipeline may be connected with the Ionian-Adriatic gas pipeline, which will allow gas deliveries to Albania, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzogovina, Montenegro and Slovenia.

"TAP will open up the Southern Gas Corridor connecting Azerbaijan and other gas producers in the Caspian Sea with Europe and enhancing Europe's energy security by providing a new source of gas," Managing Director of the TAP project Kjetil Tungland is quoted as saying by Trend.

He also noted that the new shareholders will significantly enhance TAP's strategic position in becoming an integral link between both their upstream and downstream businesses.

"This will further strengthen the integration of the entire Southern Gas Corridor value chain and support TAP's delivery of the project on time and on budget," he said.

VK asked the head of the Baku Centre for Oil Research, Ilham Shaban, to comment on the situation surrounding the TAP project.

"Of course that's good news for Azerbaijan," the expert says. According to him, the connection of TAP with the Ionian-Adriatic pipeline may play a decisive role in drafting the route of the South Gas Corridor project.

He also notes that Azerbaijan has very good relations with Eastern European and Southern European countries. This means that the project seems really promising, the expert explains.