ICGB and CESEC region operators agree on common gas quality standards

The company operating the IGB gas pipeline signed a Memorandum of understanding tied with a timeline for joint assessment and action plan, aiming to strengthen energy security, ensure a sustainable and affordable energy transition, ICGB said, according to Report.

"The independent transmission system operator (TSO) responsible for the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector signed a Memorandum of understanding on Joint approach and action plan to harmonize gas quality requirements at interconnection points (IPs) in the Central and South-Eastern European Energy Connectivity (CESEC) region. During the latest CESEC meeting held in Budapest, TSOs from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, Croatia, Moldova, Ukraine, Slovenia and Hungary all committed to joint actions aimed at strengthening the region’s energy security," the company said.

According to Report, the TSOs will jointly carry out an assessment by April 2025 of the impact of harmonizing gas quality requirements in the CESEC region on the affected interconnection agreements, and by 30 April 2025 will have to produce an action plan containing an estimate of necessary steps and timing for the development of harmonized gas quality requirements. “This is crucial for utilizing the existing infrastructure at its maximum, ensuring interoperability, and ensuring the full potential for diversified gas flows. The proposed approach aims to provide transparency to network users and will ultimately be key for enabling a sustainable and affordable energy transition, supporting the EU’s ambition for a fully integrated internal energy market”, noted ICGB’s Executive Officers George Satlas and Teodora Georgieva.

"The TSOs within the CESEC region, together with the European Commission, are now prioritizing the harmonization of gas quality parameters at IPs as the region seeks to permanently reduce and overcome its dependence on Russian natural gas by incorporating new supply sources such as the Southern Gas Corridor and LNG imports via Greece. These diversified sources come with varied gas quality parameters, necessitating standardization to ensure the interoperability of gas infrastructure and enable seamless cross-border gas trade and transport. ICGB is already cooperating with all TSOs in the region on multiple initiatives, including the Vertical Gas Corridor, " the statement reads

The Greece-Bulgaria interconnector connects Bulgaria to the Southern Gas Corridor and is part of the Vertical Gas Corridor. The pipeline strengthens energy connectivity and security in the region, providing access to natural gas from new, diversified sources. Currently operating at 3 bcm/y, the pipeline has the potential to expand its technical capacity up to 5 bcm/y. The interconnector currently secures about 70% of Bulgaria’s internal natural gas consumption and is a reliable route for diversified deliveries to key markets such as Moldova and Ukraine.