The Bulgarian gas transmission network operator Bulgartransgaz and its Slovak counterpart Eustream have agreed to jointly work on the implementation of the infrastructure projects for the Balkan gas hub and the Eastring gas pipeline, aimed at improving gas supply security in Central and Southeastern Europe.
The companies will prepare a concept for the development of the Balkan gas hub in view of the Eastring project and will jointly promote the competitiveness and the liberalization of the single gas market.
Bulgaria aims to become a regional gas hub, despite the cancellation of the 63 bcm/year South Stream gas pipeline from Russia. The proposed Eastring gas pipeline would stretch between Vel'ké Kapušany (Slovakia-Ukraine border) and the Bulgaria-Turkey border. The gas pipeline would deliver up to 36 bcm/year in both directions (two-stage development with first phase of 18 bcm/year expected as of 2019 and second one in 2025). The project would reduce Balkan reliance on Russian gas while avoiding gas supply disruptions for Romania or Bulgaria.