Safety near the pipeline
The Trans Adriatic Pipeline is a high-pressure pipeline transporting natural gas, built according to high standards with safety as its absolute priority. TAP uses 24/7 monitoring methods and regular patrols of the infrastructure along the pipeline route to maintain its integrity and safe operation.
A partnership with local people
Keeping the pipeline safe requires the contribution and collaboration of all people embarking on activities in the immediate vicinity. It is important for people to work safely around the pipeline. If you are planning to undertake work near the pipeline, you will need to call before you dig!
How TAP ensures the safety of pipeline operations
- Marker posts are placed at one-kilometre intervals along the pipeline, showing the horizontal distance from the pipeline’s axis.
- Controls, inspections and maintenance works use the most advanced tools, in conjunction with TAP contractors.
- Any alerts or incidents relating to the operation of the pipeline are addressed promptly.
Emergency
Requirements for land owners and users
Land owners and users must adhere to the following to ensure TAP has unhindered access to the pipeline.
In the Restricted Ownership Zone
(4 metres on either side of the pipeline, 4 + 4m or 8m in total):
Land owners and users are allowed:
- animal grazing
- surface sowing and fertilising
- cultivation of plants with roots that do not go deeper than 60 centimetres
- control of parasitic plants and/or vegetation.
Land owners and users are NOT allowed:
- construction of buildings of any nature
- cultivation of deep-rooted plants with roots going deeper than 60 centimetres
- drilling or opening of trenches and/or wells
- underground installations of pipes at a depth of more than 50 centimetres
- alterations to the ground morphology in any way (e.g. deep ploughing, excavating, placing of rubble, creating ponds)
- building of new roads.
In the Building Restriction Zone
(20 metres on either side of the pipeline; 20 + 20m or 40m in total)
Land owners and users are NOT allowed:
- construction of buildings of any nature
- installation of disposal systems that alter the ground morphology.
Works close to the pipeline
Any works conducted close to the pipeline by land owners and users as well as contractors or any other organisations, such as local utility providers, must be planned and executed carefully, in line with TAP’s safety requirements. This applies to TAP’s restricted ownership zone as well as the building restriction zone.
TAP must have a representative on-site to monitor any works crossing the pipeline restricted ownership zone to ensure that all activities are undertaken safely.
Anyone conducting work close to the pipeline must take all necessary precautionary measures in connection with the works, including:
- identifying and managing any dangers
- planning the work effectively
- contacting TAP to ensure that detecting, identifying and marking of the pipeline is undertaken
- excavating safely (no mechanical excavation is allowed within the pipeline restricted ownership zone).
Fences
Fences may cross the pipeline but must:
- be constructed from wood
- have a construction depth less than 500 millimetres
- only cross perpendicular over the pipeline.
Fences crossing the pipeline must not:
- be constructed from concrete or brick
- have fence posts or other posts located directly over the axis of the pipeline
Fences may not be parallel to the axis of the pipeline and within four metres of the pipeline’s axis.
