The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has submitted its Single Authorization application to the Ministry of Economic Development in Italy. The submission is a key step towards obtaining the final permits and authorizations for construction and operation of TAP’s gas pipeline in Italy. The Italian Ministry will henceforth consult with municipal, provincial, regional and central authorities; a process that will be conducted in parallel with TAP’s Environmental Impact Assessment process which was launched earlier in 2011 and which complies with the world-leading EBRD guidelines for environmental and social protection. The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is a natural gas pipeline project that will transport gas from the Caspian region via Greece and Albania and across the Adriatic Sea to southern Italy and further into western Europe. TAP’s shareholders are EGL (42.5%), Statoil (42.5%) and E.ON Ruhrgas (15%).