The Bulgarian state-owned gas transmission system operator Bulgartransgaz has signed BGN485m (€248m) worth of contracts with two US-Bulgarian consortia for the construction of a new gas corridor on the south-north axis of the country. The new pipelines stretching between Kulata and Kresna and between Rupcha and Vetrino will connect the southern gas pipeline between Greece and Bulgaria (IGB) with Romania, Central Europe and Ukraine.
The project is part of a joint initiative between Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova and Ukraine. The construction of the gas pipeline is to be completed by the end of 2025. It will then be supplied by the LNG terminal in the Greek port of Alexandroupolis.
It is of particular importance due to the prospect of suspending the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine in 2025. Indeed, Ukraine has announced it would not extend a five-year deal with Russia's Gazprom on the transit of Russian gas to Europe when it expires.