OREANDA-NEWS. On October 14, contracts for the supply of pipes for the construction of the Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP), which will carry Shakh Deniz-2 natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe, were signed in Ankara JW Marriot Hotel, Turkey.

The signing ceremony was attended by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildiz, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev, and other officials.

Turkey's "Mannesmann-Noksel-Erciyas" and "Umran-Emek" consortiums," Toscelik Profil ve Sac Endustrisi" Company, as well as a Chinese contractor "Baosteel Europe" won the tender for the supply of pipes for the project. The signing ceremony noted that 6 Turkish companies will provide 80 percent of the project for nearly 1,800km of pipeline construction. "Borusan Mannesmann", "Noksel Çelik" and "Erciyas Çelik" consortiums won the tender for one-third supply of approximately 1.2 million tons of steel pipes for TANAP construction. Transportation of steel pipes will be completed in 24 months. "TANAP is not only an energy project but also a huge peace project. It builds a peace bridge between the Balkans and Caucasus."- Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at the signing ceremony. Speaking at the event, SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev pointed out that TANAP project would make Turkey a "South-West energy corridor". The project will provide job opportunities for 15-20 thousand citizens and develop pipe production and pipe construction sectors of Turkey.

It is to note, TANAP is planned to become operational in 2018.