TAP issues Invitations to Tender for its onshore pipeline contract

Baku, October 16, AzerTAc Trans Adriatic Pipeline AG (TAP) has issued the first major Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the construction of the onshore section of the pipeline. This is an Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contract, which may be split into further contracts, depending on the offering bids. The ITT follows the pre-qualification process for onshore pipeline construction companies that were launched in May this year. The scope for the onshore pipeline contract(s) includes the engineering, procurement and construction of approximately 760km of the cross-country onshore pipeline - 48 inches (1.2m) in diameter - in Greece and Albania. Companies being invited to tender are international pipeline construction organisations, including companies from TAP’s host countries. Construction of the Trans Adriatic Pipeline is planned to begin in 2016 and, currently, will be split into five lots (or sections) – three lots in Greece and two lots in Albania. TAP’s highest elevation will be 1800 meters in Albania and the pipeline will, on its route, cross many roads and rivers. TAP plans to award the contract for the onshore pipeline contract in the third quarter of 2015. The next Invitation to Tenders (ITT) that will be issued by TAP are the EPC for compressor stations in Greece and Albania, procurement of compressor units for the compressor stations, and procurement of large diameter ball valves. TAP plans to issue these ITTs in the fourth quarter of 2014. Knut Steinar Kvindesland, Procurement Director at TAP said: The contract for the construction of the onshore section of the TAP pipeline is the largest that TAP is planning to award. The selection of the bidders who have been invited to tender has followed a rigorous prequalification process. The bidders’ ability to meet TAP’s high standards on Health, Safety and Environment and ability to demonstrate a “zero harm policy” have and will be key in selecting bidders. TAP’s EPC contractors will also be responsible for further securing additional subcontractors to implement specific parts of the contract assignment. This could create additional employment and business opportunities, thereby contributing to economic prosperity in the countries that TAP will cross.