One of the most challenging activities in the construction of the interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria, is due to start soon, Trend reports with reference to the ICGB AD, a project company.
The crossing of the gas pipeline under the Maritsa riverbed and under the Studen Kladenets dam is forthcoming, said the company.
"The complex process will be carried out by means of horizontal directional drilling - it is defined by design as the most favorable method from an ecological point of view. The activity will be carried out by a subcontractor - the French company Horizontal Drilling International (HDI), which is a world leader in the industry. The time window for carrying out the activity is in compliance with the requirements of the EIA and is carefully planned in consideration with the natural life cycle of the animal species in the region. Preparatory activities for the first drilling under the Maritsa River have already began and the teams are expected to start the actual crossing at the beginning of the summer," said the ICGB AD.
The IGB project enables the transmission of gas and supplies from new sources, making it key to Bulgaria's energy security and part of the national plan for diversification of gas sources. The capacity of the project is 3 billion cubic meters with the option to reach 5 billion cubic meters. Half of the capacity of the interconnector is already reserved, as four of the shippers are completely new to the Bulgarian market. A contract has been signed for the supply of 1 billion cubic meters from Shah Deniz 2 based on a long-term contract with Bulgargaz.
