TAP Plans to Start Offshore Surveys in Adriatic Sea

December 19, 2012

TAP plans to start offshore surveys in the Adriatic Sea this winter. The goal is to collect additional data and samples to identify optimal offshore routing.

TAP plans offshore surveys that will consist of various investigations along the proposed offshore pipeline route in the Adriatic Sea in international, Italian and Albanian waters. The purpose of these surveys is to conduct seabed mapping, identify potential obstacles along the route, as well as collect core samples of the seabed.

Three vessels have been contracted by TAP to conduct these activities. The vessels will carry out work over short periods of time, lasting between one and three weeks at a time. One of these vessels will be visible from the Italian shore for approximately one week. It will be located at least 1000 meters away from the San Foca coast. These activities have been planned during this winter to avoid any impact on the busy summer tourist season. The surveys will be conducted ensuring minimal impact on environment.

Giampaolo Russo, TAP’s Country Manager for Italy, said: “TAP is still in the process of collecting detailed information and samples along the proposed pipeline route offshore and onshore to ensure that its route is the safest and has the least impact on the local environment. This is being carried out by leading experts in full compliance with the highest international standards.”

TAP plans to conduct additional surveys in the coming months. The construction of the pipeline would start, should the Shah Deniz consortium in Azerbaijan select TAP as their priority gas transportation route to Italy.

Past offshore surveys

In the period from October 2011 until February 2012 TAP has conducted a “near shore” survey at the proposed landfall section of the pipeline in Italy. The pipeline will be built using state-of-the-art micro-tunneling technology in order to respect marine wild-life (Posidonia sea grass) and not to contribute to coastal erosion.

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LNG World News Staff, December 19, 2012; Image: TAP