Royal HaskoningDHV to commence survey for Trans Adriatic Pipeline

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has authorised Royal HaskoningDHV (RHDHV) to start surveys for collecting detailed information on the landowners living along the project for its 870km pipeline through Albania, Greece and Italy.

The survey data will complement the existing cadastral data and Land Easement Acquisition (LEA) activities will help to identifying rightful land owners, establish property boundaries and evaluate the affected properties.

TAP will be given temporarily access to land for the construction strip, where the pipeline is being buried, and permanent access to land to install compressor stations and block valve stations.

TAP is planning to sign agreements with landowners in 2014 in order to get access to land.

TAP LEA manager, Albert Haak, said the LEA activities will be conducted in a very transparent manner following the highest international standards.

"TAP is committed to an open dialogue and building trustful and lasting relationships with the communities living along the future pipeline route," Haak added.

TAP will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi and come ashore in Southern Italy by passing through Greece, Albania and the Adriatic Sea.

The pipeline will supply gas to South Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria, Albania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia, and further transport of Caspian natural gas will allow access to European markets such as Germany, France, the UK, Switzerland and Austria.

Royal HaskoningDHV senior project manager Sjacco de Vos said the company will help the TAP to begin the pipeline construction on schedule and also ensure the affected people are compensated properly.

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Image: Trans Adriatic Gas Pipeline Map. Photo: courtesy of Genti77.