Greece-Bulgaria gas pipeline operator inks deal with DESFA to secure gas supplies from LNG terminal in Alexandroupolis

BAKU. Sept 24 (Interfax) - ICGB, the operator of the IGB Greece-Bulgaria gas pipeline interconnector, has signed an interconnection agreement with Greece's natural gas transmission system operator DESFA at the interconnection point located at Komotini, ICGB said in a press release.

"The IGB pipeline is already connected with the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) and with the natural gas transmission system of Bulgartransgaz. With the signing of the agreement with DESFA, the IGB gas pipeline will be connected to the Greek gas transmission system at IP Komotini," it said.

The agreement will enable IP Komotini DESFA/ICGB to supply gas from the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal after it enters commercial operation on October 1, 2024 via the IGB pipeline.

"The new interconnection agreement will allow interested parties with booked capacities from the FSRU to transport gas via the IGB pipeline, establishing a new route for natural gas deliveries to Southeast and Central Europe," ICGB said.

ICGB intends to put IP Komotini DESFA/ICGB in operation as of October 1, 2024 "if the respective confirmation is issued by upstream systems operators."

"The connection has already been successfully tested with natural gas quantities to ensure the safe exploitation following October 1," it said.

In the monthly capacity auction for October ICGB has offered available capacity of 48,044,459 kWh/day at IP Komotini.

IGB's current capacity is 3 bcm per year with the potential to reach 5 bcm per year.

"ICGB is already engaged with the capacity expansion as a strategic step towards securing access to natural gas deliveries from diversified sources. This is also a vital project under the Vertical Gas Corridor, uniting the region's transmission system operators, including Moldova and Ukraine," ICGB said.

The IGB gas pipeline connects with the Greek national gas transmission system operated by DESFA SA and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline operated by TAP AG in the Komotini region of Greece, as well as with the Bulgarian gas transmission system operated by Bulgartransgaz EAD in the Stara Zagora district.

The IGB gas pipeline is 182 km long and 813 mm in diameter. Design capacity is up to 3 billion cubic meters per year from Greece to Bulgaria.