Pipeliners

Apr 30, 2009 - (COMTEX) - Russian gas monopoly Gazprom and Bulgarian Energy Holding have initialed an agreement of co-operation to create a gas pipeline for natural gas transit via Bulgaria as part of the South Stream project. The agreement is expected to be signed in the near future. Russian natural gas has been exported to Bulgaria since 1974. In 2008, Gazprom supplied the country with around 3.5 billion cubic meters of gas; and also transports gas to Turkey, Greece and Macedonia via Bulgaria. Gazprom and Italian energy major Eni are partners in the South Stream project. The total length of the Black Sea section will be around 900km, with the maximum depth exceeding 2,000m and design capacity averaging 31 billion cubic meters. The section is planned for commissioning in 2013. In January 2008, Russia and Bulgaria had signed the intergovernmental agreement stipulating Bulgaria's entry in the South Stream project.