ICGB: IGB project to be completed within timeline 

The finishing works on the gas interconnector Greece - Bulgaria is in the process of implementation, and ICGB expects them to be realized within the timeline declared by the EPC contractor, and in accordance with all the requirements of the technical project, Report informs.

The Greek construction company AVAX is responsible for the implementation of three main activities, divided into separate stages after approval by the Bulgarian Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works. They are not directly related to the commercial operation of the gas pipeline but still remain part of the EPC contract signed with the independent transmission operator ICGB and need to be performed in accordance with the requirements of the contracting authority and the approved technical design.

"For us, it is extremely important that these stages are completed by the contractor qualitatively and according to the requirements in the documentation. We appreciate the readiness of the Ministry for assistance in carrying out the remaining finishing activities in an optimal timeline and in a manner that fully complies with Bulgarian legislation. The dialogue continues, and next week we will have a follow-up meeting, after which we expect to hear concrete decisions and deadlines from the contractor", said ICGB Executive Officers Teodora Georgieva and George Satlas after the meeting.

According to them, completing the spare optical cable is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalized and documented in January. ICGB's management also emphasized the importance of finalizing the anti-erosion measures along the route as soon as possible, so that in case of a mild winter, the works would not stop and allow for quicker completion. At a subsequent meeting with the Ministry's team next week, it will be discussed how exactly this should be implemented so that the approach fully complies with the local legislation and is applicable and effective given the specific conditions in Bulgaria.

The IGB is designed to transport blue fuel from Shah Deniz 2 to Bulgaria. Through this pipeline, which will join TAP, Bulgaria will import 1 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year from Azerbaijan. Thus, the state company Bulgargaz EAD has signed a contract with the Shah Deniz consortium to purchase this amount of gas from the Shah Deniz-2 field. Azerbaijan will be able to meet 25-30% of Bulgaria's gas needs. Construction work on the IGB is expected to be completed in the second half of next year.

The 150 kilometers of pipeline (182 kilometers in length) will pass through Bulgaria. The annual capacity of the pipeline is estimated at 3-5 billion cubic meters.
In July, the European Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan to increase the import of natural gas to at least 20 billion cubic meters per year by 2027. The final decision on doubling the capacity of the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline gas pipeline will be made early next year. Additional natural gas will come from several fields in Azerbaijan.