Thank you Ilham

For my understanding, there is no chance you would start microtunneling still this year, is there?

Milosz

Milosz MOMOT

Team Leader

cid:image001.gif@01CEF2BB.DC74A080
European Commission

DG Energy

Unit B1 Networks & Regional Initiatives

Office DM 06/134

Rue de Mot 24

B-1049 Brussels/Belgium

+32 229 80750

[email address]

This message is intended for the use of the addressee only and may contain information that is privileged and confidential.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return of this e-mail. This communication does not constitute any formal commitment on behalf of the Commission.

Ce courrier électronique est destiné exclusivement aux personnes ou institutions dont le nom figure ci-dessus et peut contenir des informations protégées par le secret professionnel, dont la divulgation est strictement  prohibée. Si vous n'êtes pas destinataire, nous vous avisons que sa lecture, sa reproduction ou sa distribution sont strictement interdites.  Nous vous prions en conséquence de nous aviser immédiatement par retour de ce courrier. Cette communication ne constitue en aucun cas un engagement formel de la part de la Commission

From: Akbarov Ilham [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2017 9:49 AM
To: MOMOT Milosz (ENER)
Cc: Marca Simina
Subject: RE: A quick update on the status of TAP - urgent

Dear Milosz,

Thank you for approaching. And here is my cell: +41 79 231 08 15 just in case.

It seems that the same journalist with the identical questions from the Russian Interfax approached yourself and my Comms colleagues yesterday.

The below answers were offered to that journalist:

1.       How is the project developing? Do you expect it to progress as planned?

The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is on schedule. The project schedule remains and TAP continues to work towards being ready to deliver first gas from Shah Deniz II in 2020.

In Greece, as of end-September, 441 km of our right of way have been cleared, approximately 404 km line pipes strung, over 371 km welded, 276 km back-filled and approximately 180 km are being reinstated. Line pipes continue to arrive to Kavala, Thessaloniki and Alexandroupolis. So far, approximately 95% of the 32,000 line pipes needed to build the 550km Greek section have been delivered.

In Albania, approximately 146 km have been cleared and graded along our route, 140 km line pipes strung, 135 km welded and approximately 112 km back-filled. Circa 87 km are being reinstated.

This means that between Greece and Albania, TAP has now cleared and graded more than 76% of its corridor (approximately 587km out of 765km). Additionally, we have welded 66% of steel line pipes and around 50% pipes are already in the ground (back-filled). 

In terms of logistics, mid-June 2017 we have completed the line pipe shipments for the Albanian pipeline section. 13,000 line pipes needed to build the 215km Albania section have been delivered to Dürres.  

In Italy, in line with the Single Authorisation permit granted by the Ministry of Economy on 20 May 2015, TAP continues to progress its secondary permitting activities.

We removed the first set of olive trees in the micro-tunnel area between March and July 2017. These trees are carefully looked after in a nearby nursery and will be planted back to their original location once pipeline construction works have been completed. Also, the last shipment of offshore line pipes has been offloaded in Brindisi, Italy, between 3 and 6 September. 

In terms of overall project progress, we are over 50% complete – including all engineering, procurement and construction scope.

2.       How is the environmental protest in Apuglia impacting the project? 

The project schedule remains and TAP continues to work towards being ready to deliver first gas from Shah Deniz II in 2020.

TAP will use the most advanced technologies available to safeguard habitats, project biodiversity and restore landscape to its original condition once construction works are completed.       

In close cooperation with the national and local authorities, TAP is preparing to re-start works as planned. These works include the construction of an access road and digging the pit for building the micro-tunnel, once the Phase 1a verifications of compliance (secondary permits related to the environmental prescriptions of the EIA Decree) are in place (expected end October).   

The above is just for the EC’s background. However, we would appreciate if you could referrer that kind of journalists directly to TAP’s Media Dept.

Pls. let us know if further support should be needed.

Best regards

Ilham

From: [email address] [mailto:[email address]]
Sent: Tuesday, 10 October 2017 09:29
To: Akbarov Ilham <[email address]>
Subject: A quick update on the status of TAP - urgent

Dear Ilham

I am trying to call you as I would need an update on TAP. We got the following questions from a journalist. I need to send a short answer still this morning.

I am covering the SGC and the TAP pipeline this week- and it would be great to get an update from your side.

 

How is the project developing? Do you expect it to progress as planned?

How is the environmental protest in Apuglia impacting the project? 

Would you please help? Can you advise if I can write the following:

According to the project company, TAP AG. the project is now more than 50% completed, including engineering, procurement and construction scope. Approximately 95% of the total 55,000 pipes to be used for the construction of the pipeline have been received in Greece, Albania and Italy and over 45% of welded steel pipes are already in the ground across Greece and Albania.

Regarding Italy, the preparation for the construction of the offshore section is ongoing. The last shipment of offshore line pipes has been offloaded in Brindisi, Italy, in early September 2017. The company is also preparing for the micro-tunnelling works under the beach where the pipeline enters the Italian soil. Local protests continue but TAP is working closely with the Italian authorities in order to ensure that the construction can start in time for the first gas to reach Italy as scheduled, by 2020.

Or please propose changes to make it as factually correct as possible

Thank you in advance

Milosz

Milosz MOMOT

Team Leader

cid:image001.gif@01CEF2BB.DC74A080
European Commission

DG Energy

Unit B1 Networks & Regional Initiatives

Office DM 06/134

Rue de Mot 24

B-1049 Brussels/Belgium

+32 229 80750

[email address]

This message is intended for the use of the addressee only and may contain information that is privileged and confidential.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by return of this e-mail. This communication does not constitute any formal commitment on behalf of the Commission.

Ce courrier électronique est destiné exclusivement aux personnes ou institutions dont le nom figure ci-dessus et peut contenir des informations protégées par le secret professionnel, dont la divulgation est strictement  prohibée. Si vous n'êtes pas destinataire, nous vous avisons que sa lecture, sa reproduction ou sa distribution sont strictement interdites.  Nous vous prions en conséquence de nous aviser immédiatement par retour de ce courrier. Cette communication ne constitue en aucun cas un engagement formel de la part de la Commission

This e-mail may contain confidential information. Any unauthorized distribution of such information is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this e-mail in error) please notify the sender immediately by returning this e-mail and delete this e-mail. Thank you.