TAP launches pre-qualification for onshore pipeline construction companies

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has issued its second contract notice for a major engineering procurement construction (EPC) contract in the Official Journal of the EU – the EU Gazette.

The scope for this contract will include the EPC of approximately 760 km of 48 in. dia., cross-country onshore pipeline in Greece and Albania.

The current pre-qualification is the second, following a contract notice on construction of Albanian roads and bridges on 15 April 2014. In addition to pipeline construction, the contract will include the construction of 32 block valve stations along the route.

Construction of the pipeline is planned to start in 2016 and will be split into five lots – three in Greece and two in Albania. TAP’s highest elevation will be 1800 m in Albania and the pipeline will on the way, cross many roads and rivers.

Companies interested in being pre-qualified for the onshore pipeline construction contract need to request a pre-qualification questionnaire from TAP no later than 26 May 2014. Only a selected number of companies that have completed the pre-qualification will be invited to participate in the tendering stages of the TAP’s procurement process for the onshore pipeline construction.

Knut Steinar Kvindesland, Procurement Director at TAP, said: “This is one of the largest contracts that TAP plans to award. The selection of potential suppliers will be rigorous. A key requirement that our contractors must meet are the highest standards on Health, Safety and Environment and commitment to TAP’s ‘zero harm’ policy.”

TAP’s EPC contractors will be responsible for further securing of additional subcontractors to implement specific parts of the contract assignments, and thereby creating additional employment and economic opportunities in the region.The next contract notice to be issued by TAP in the coming weeks will be the pre-qualification of companies for the construction of compressor stations.The pre-qualification of companies for the Italian onshore pipeline section will be announced at a later stage, as part of another contract notice.

TAP

TAP will transport natural gas from the giant Shah Deniz II field in Azerbaijan to Europe. The approximately 870 km long pipeline will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish-Greek border at Kipoi, cross Greece and Albania and the Adriatic Sea, before coming ashore in Southern Italy.TAP will promote the economic development and job creation along the pipeline route; it will be a major source of foreign direct investment and it is not dependent on grants or subsidies. With first gas sales to Georgia and Turkey targeted for late 2018, first deliveries to Europe will follow approximately a year later. TAP’s shareholding is comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (16%), Total (10%), E.ON (9%) and Axpo (5%).

TAP's procurement process

In April 2014, following a review of its strategy and schedule, TAP decided to re-launch its procurement process and new pre-qualifications for goods and services were initiated. The revised process aims to provide the maximum opportunity for national and international suppliers to participate in the project. TAP encourages all companies with relevant experience – including those that applied previously – to participate in the new rounds of pre-qualification.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/14052014/tap_launches_prequalification_for_onshore_pipeline_construction_companies/