The 182-km new pipeline connects Komotini with Stara Zagora in Bulgaria and will link to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), which transports natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe via Greece.

The capacity of the pipeline is to be 3 to 5 billion m3/year with reverse flow capability. The connecting points are to be Komotini, Greece, and Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

The project is in line with the joint EU strategy for market-based security of supply, which calls for bidirectional interconnection of national grids and specifically for the creation of a Southern Gas Corridor.

Whereas the capacity of the IGB project does not fully satisfy the capacity expected in the Southern Gas Corridor, it will achieve real diversification of sources of supply of natural gas to Bulgaria. (ILKHA)