"The entire procedure consists of both on-the-spot checks and a detailed review of a number of documents. This is done to ensure that the work carried out meets all the requirements for the safe operation of the entire natural gas transmission infrastructure. The feedback we are getting on the ground right now is positive and we hope that this will lead to the timely issuance of the necessary operating permit for Greece", noted ICGB Executive Directors Teodora Georgieva and Georgios Satlas.
Procedures for commissioning the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector on October 1 are progressing according to schedule. The implementation of the project is in the final stage of realization and administrative procedures for issuing the relevant licenses for exploitation and right of use are running in parallel in both countries.
The entire 31-kilometer section of the interconnector on Greek territory was audited over two days (September 8-9) by representatives of the Greek Ministry of the Environment and Energy (Hydrocarbons Directorate - Installations Department) and the management of the independent transmission operator ICGB . The audit is part of the procedure for issuing a permit for the operation of the section of the gas pipeline on the territory of the Republic of Greece. The delegation inspected in detail the gas measuring station near Komotini, the tap node on Greek territory and the connection points with the Trans-Adriatic Gas Pipeline and DESFA, including the entire linear part of the interconnector in Greece.
"The entire procedure consists of both on-the-spot checks and a detailed review of a number of documents. This is done to ensure that the work carried out meets all the requirements for the safe operation of the entire natural gas transmission infrastructure. The feedback we are getting on the ground right now is positive and we hope that this will lead to the timely issuance of the necessary operating permit for Greece", noted ICGB Executive Directors Teodora Georgieva and Georgios Satlas.
The two managersd emphasized both the national and international significance of the start of commercial operation of the IGB on October 1. "We are talking about a gas pipeline that opens up a completely new, secure route for diversified natural gas supplies not only for the two countries that are developing the project, but also for the wider region of South-Eastern Europe, with the possibility of natural gas transmission to Ukraine and Moldova. All efforts remain focused on completing the remaining secondary activities under the construction contract and the necessary administrative procedures in Greece and Bulgaria in order to meet the set deadline," noted Georgieva and Satlas.
In parallel with the audits from the Greek side, the ICGB continues to cooperate actively with all relevant Bulgarian institutions for the issuance of Act 16 and Permit for Use, necessary for the operational activity on Bulgarian territory according to national legislation.
The IGB project (Greece-Bulgaria Intersystem Gas Connection) is implemented by the mixed investment company “ICI GB” JSC, registered in Bulgaria in 2011 with shareholders BEH EAD (50%) and IGI Poseidon (50%). The co-shareholder IGI Poseidon is a company registered in Greece, with shareholders the Greek company DEPA International Projects (50%) and the Italian energy group Edison S.p.A (50%).
In accordance with its charter, ICGB JSC should be the owner of the IGB gas pipeline, financing its implementation, distributing its transmission capacity and receiving revenues from the transmission of natural gas.
The IGB gas pipeline is designed to connect with the Greek national gas transmission system (DESFA S.A.) and the Trans-Adriatic gas pipeline (TAP AG) in the area of Komotini (Greece), and with the Bulgarian gas transmission system (Bulgartransgaz JSC) in the area of Stara Zagora. The total length of the gas pipeline is 182 km, the diameter of the pipe - 32'' - and a design capacity of up to 3 billion m3/year. in the direction of Greece-Bulgaria. Depending on the market interest in using a larger capacity and the possibilities of the neighboring gas transmission systems, the capacity is designed to increase to 5 billion m3/year. with additional construction of a compressor station.
Source: Diana Zaykova, 0885/074 422, 0885/614 131; Rositza Donkova +359 (02) 9803018, +359 888 343 661
On the photos you can see: Gas measuring station - 1 near Komotini and inspection of the crane node of the interconnector "Greece - Bulgaria" near Komotini.