site.btaBuilding Gas Hub in Bulgaria Will Add to Europe's Energy Security, Minister Says

Building Gas Hub in Bulgaria Will Add to Europe's Energy Security, Minister Says

Copenhagen/Sofia, November 10 (BTA) - Bulgarian Energy Minister
Temenouzhka Petkova told the Energy Infrastructure Forum in
Copenhagen that her country's strategic geographical location,
the ongoing procedures for oil and gas prospecting in the Black
Sea and the accelerated building of gas connectivity between
Bulgaria and its neighbours provide excellent prerequisites to
create a regional gas distribution hub in the country, the
Energy Ministry in Sofia reported on Tuesday.

Petkova said the implementation of this idea will become one
more guarantee for Europe's energy security.

She told the international meeting that the shareholders in
ICGB, the joint investment company which is in charge of
building a natural gas interconnector between Bulgaria and
Greece, have reached agreement on the conditions of the project.
 A date is now to be set for signing the final investment
decision.

Another important project for Bulgaria is the gas interconnector
 with Serbia, Petkova said. The linking of the Bulgarian and
Serbian gas transmission networks will make it possible to
connect to the EU network, ensuring a two-way flow of natural
gas, she said.

The Minister presented the main highlights of the Bulgarian
government's energy policy. While building gas connectivity with
 its neighbours, Bulgaria is also upgrading and expanding its
own gas transmission network, she said.

According to her, the rehabilitation of Bulgaria's gas
infrastructure is very important for the energy security of the
country and the region. Bulgaria has invested over 100 million
euro in the effort, Petkova said.