The production and deliveries of linear pipes for the gas connection with Greece will be completed by the end of the month

The production and delivery of line pipes for the construction of the interconnector with Greece will be completed in December on schedule and despite the unexpected challenges posed by the global pandemic, said Teodora Georgieva, CEO of the project company ICGB. Georgieva presented up-to-date information on the progress of the IGB project during a round table organized by the US Embassy in Bulgaria, Bulgartransgaz EAD and the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria. The event was held online and was dedicated to the potential of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and its place in the future of the energy sector. The discussion was also attended by the Minister of Energy Temenujka Petkova, the US Ambassador to Bulgaria Hero Mustafa, the Executive Director of Bulgartransgaz Vladimir Malinov and representatives of leading LNG companies.

Georgieva stressed the impact that the IGB interconnector will have on Bulgaria's position on the energy map. "The pipeline will allow the country to receive supplies of natural gas from more than one source, which will inevitably lead to increased security of supply and real diversification of gas sources. The development of new import routes intensifies competition, which is of great importance for end users, who will be able to use natural gas at competitive prices, "she said. According to her, the Greece-Bulgaria interconnector is of great international importance due to its potential to connect with other major projects - both existing and planned, which will allow natural gas supplies to the entire region from many new sources.

"The IGB pipeline also has significant potential for the transmission of liquefied natural gas and we are looking positively at all new opportunities in this direction. The government's decision to include Bulgaria as a shareholder in the liquefied natural gas terminal near Alexandroupolis was an important step that will help the IGB reach its full capacity. With the completion of the terminal we will be able to import LNG and natural gas from various countries such as the United States, Egypt, Israel and others. The opportunities that lie ahead for Bulgaria in terms of energy are remarkable, "said Georgieva.

It provided the participants in the round table with information on the progress of the key construction activities for the implementation of the interconnector, which are still ongoing. According to Georgieva, the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult to maintain the steady pace of work set out in the project's preliminary plan. "The geodetic survey and the supply of linear pipes for the purposes of the project will be completed in the coming days, and the clearing of the route along the entire route of the IGB is completed at about 85%. The distribution of the pipes along the route continues according to plan and by December 8 there are 114 km of pipes in preparation for the next steps. The processes of pipe welding, preparation of cold bent elbows and heat-shrinkable bellows are also progressing. At the moment more than 80 km are welded, and nearly 50 km of the welded sections are laid in the excavated trench. The backfilling of the trench in the finished sections continues, followed by the installation of optical cables and reclamation ", said the executive director of ICGB from the Bulgarian side.

The Minister of Energy of Bulgaria Temenujka Petkova also stressed the importance of the interconnector and pointed out that it is among the seven highest priority projects of the EU and is key for the entire region. "IGB will connect us to the Southern Gas Corridor and ensure real diversification of natural gas sources and supplies. Diversification is a top priority for Bulgaria, as it means competitive prices and a competitive economy, "said Minister Petkova. Ambassador Mustafa added that diversification of sources, market liberalization and transparency are the main factors that attract foreign investors and new suppliers. She thanked Georgieva and the ICGB team for the systematic efforts aimed at the successful implementation of the project.