Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) AG, a joint venture company established with the purpose of planning, developing and building the TAP natural gas pipeline from the Shah Deniz II natural gas reservoirs in Azerbaijan to Europe, has launched its pre-qualification process for onshore line pipes and bends. The 870 km pipeline, of 48 inch and 36 inch diameters respectively, will connect with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) near the Turkish - Greek border, ultimately crossing through Greece and Albania before reaching the shores of southern Italy. TAP is emphasizing the importance of health, safety and environmental (hse) issues in the pre-qualification, saying that contractors must meet the highest standards on hse and be committed to TAP's 'zero harm' policy.

TAP’s shareholding is now comprised of BP (20%), SOCAR (20%), Statoil (20%), Fluxys (16%), Total (10%), EON (9%) and Axpo (5%).