popular articles

Greek-Bulgarian Gas Pipeline: von der Leyen Hails “A New Era

The President of the European Commission welcomed Saturday in Sofia the launch of commercial operations of a Greek-Bulgarian gas pipeline.

Please share:

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed Saturday in Sofia the launch of commercial operations of a Greek-Bulgarian gas pipeline, key according to her to emancipate from Russian energy.

“Today a new era begins for Bulgaria and Southeast Europe,” she said at a ceremony attended by many leaders of the region.

This pipeline, “synonymous with freedom, emancipation from Russian gas”, “changes the game. For Bulgaria and the energy security of Europe,” she added.

The 182 km long IGB interconnection was inaugurated in July, but it was only on Saturday that it started operating, said acting Bulgarian Prime Minister Galab Donev.

It allows Bulgaria, which has not received gas from the Russian giant Gazprom since April, to diversify its sources and “be less vulnerable”.

This Balkan country, which was very dependent on Moscow for energy before the conflict in Ukraine, is now connected to the Tanap/Tap pipeline, which is designed to bring Azeri gas from the Caspian Sea to Western Europe.

Sofia is to receive 1 bcm per year of this gas, for a total IGB capacity of 3 bcm.

“It could cover the entire gas consumption of Bulgaria,” said the head of the European Commission. “This is excellent news in very difficult times (…). Thanks to such projects, Europe will have enough gas for the winter”.

At a cost of 220 million euros, including 50 million euros of European funding, the idea of the Greek-Bulgarian link was born in 2009 but its construction was much delayed.

The war in Ukraine and the energy crisis have precipitated the efforts.

It took “a lot of determination” and “patience” to complete it, stressed Ms. von der Leyen, who seeks at all costs to reduce the EU’s dependence on Russian gas.

In July, it signed a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan in Baku to double that country’s gas imports in a few years, with a view to achieving independence from Russian gas.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, the heads of state of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, North Macedonia Stevo Pendarovski and Bulgaria Roumen Radev, as well as the Greek and Romanian Prime Ministers.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Eni and YPF have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate Eni's participation in the Argentina LNG project, aimed at developing resources from the Vaca Muerta gas field and exporting up to 30 million tons of LNG per year.
bp has safely loaded the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project, marking Mauritania and Senegal’s entry into the global LNG export market.
bp has safely loaded the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) Phase 1 project, marking Mauritania and Senegal’s entry into the global LNG export market.
Eni is set to award a $2.5bn contract for a new floating LNG unit off Mozambique, aiming to intensify the development of the Coral North gas field.
Eni is set to award a $2.5bn contract for a new floating LNG unit off Mozambique, aiming to intensify the development of the Coral North gas field.
TotalEnergies expands its liquefied natural gas portfolio with a long-term supply deal in Texas and a sales contract to the Dominican Republic starting in 2027.
TotalEnergies expands its liquefied natural gas portfolio with a long-term supply deal in Texas and a sales contract to the Dominican Republic starting in 2027.
The coal-fired plant in Saint-Avold will be converted to gas and biogas under a recently approved law, preserving 500 jobs without public financial support.
Mubadala Energy acquires 24.1% of Kimmeridge’s SoTex HoldCo, marking its first foray into the US gas and LNG market.
Mubadala Energy acquires 24.1% of Kimmeridge’s SoTex HoldCo, marking its first foray into the US gas and LNG market.
China is increasing imports of Russian liquefied petroleum gas, but Russia's infrastructure limitations complicate the complete replacement of U.S. LPG, despite joint projects aimed at overcoming these constraints by late 2025.
China is increasing imports of Russian liquefied petroleum gas, but Russia's infrastructure limitations complicate the complete replacement of U.S. LPG, despite joint projects aimed at overcoming these constraints by late 2025.
A lasting peace in Ukraine could revive Russian exports to Europe and weigh on the future of liquefied natural gas projects in the United States.
A lasting peace in Ukraine could revive Russian exports to Europe and weigh on the future of liquefied natural gas projects in the United States.
Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. continues preparations at Prospect I, located in licence PEL73 in Namibia, aiming for 365 million barrels of unrisked oil resources.
Baghdad has signed a strategic agreement with GE Vernova to build natural gas power plants totalling 24,000 MW, as the country seeks to reduce its energy dependence on Iran.
Baghdad has signed a strategic agreement with GE Vernova to build natural gas power plants totalling 24,000 MW, as the country seeks to reduce its energy dependence on Iran.
Italian group Snam will acquire nearly a quarter of Open Grid Europe for €920mn, expanding its gas infrastructure presence in Germany, subject to regulatory approvals expected by the third quarter of 2025.
Italian group Snam will acquire nearly a quarter of Open Grid Europe for €920mn, expanding its gas infrastructure presence in Germany, subject to regulatory approvals expected by the third quarter of 2025.
Perenco will acquire Woodside’s oil and gas assets in Trinidad and Tobago, expanding its national output beyond 500 million standard cubic feet per day following expected closing by the third quarter of 2025.
Perenco will acquire Woodside’s oil and gas assets in Trinidad and Tobago, expanding its national output beyond 500 million standard cubic feet per day following expected closing by the third quarter of 2025.
Sasol confirms the launch in September 2025 of a key gas project to supply a major power station in Mozambique, following an unexplained delay from the originally scheduled March date.
Italian company Eni has initiated a major engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) tender for its $17.49 billion Kutei North Hub gas project offshore Indonesia.
Italian company Eni has initiated a major engineering, procurement, construction and installation (EPCI) tender for its $17.49 billion Kutei North Hub gas project offshore Indonesia.
Bulgaria will begin expanding its gas network in the coming weeks, a cornerstone of the "The Vertical" project aimed at strengthening regional energy security following the halt of Russian transit through Ukraine.
Bulgaria will begin expanding its gas network in the coming weeks, a cornerstone of the "The Vertical" project aimed at strengthening regional energy security following the halt of Russian transit through Ukraine.
TAQA will lead the construction and operation of a 1 GW gas-fired power plant in Al Dhafra as part of a strategic partnership with EWEC, supporting a total energy infrastructure investment of AED36bn in Abu Dhabi.
TAQA will lead the construction and operation of a 1 GW gas-fired power plant in Al Dhafra as part of a strategic partnership with EWEC, supporting a total energy infrastructure investment of AED36bn in Abu Dhabi.
The bp Trinidad and Tobago joint venture has launched production at the offshore Cypre field, marking bp’s second major start-up in 2025 and strengthening its shallow-water footprint in the region.
Shell has finalised the acquisition of Pavilion Energy in Singapore, integrating a portfolio of 6.5 mtpa LNG contracts, regasification capacity, and bunkering activities.
Shell has finalised the acquisition of Pavilion Energy in Singapore, integrating a portfolio of 6.5 mtpa LNG contracts, regasification capacity, and bunkering activities.
The potential lifting of U.S. sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project paves the way for a rapid resumption of Russian liquefied natural gas exports, significantly impacting global markets from the third quarter of 2025.
The potential lifting of U.S. sanctions on the Arctic LNG 2 project paves the way for a rapid resumption of Russian liquefied natural gas exports, significantly impacting global markets from the third quarter of 2025.
Prairie Provident Resources closed 2024 with a reorganisation of its assets and a strategic focus on the Basal Quartz formation, backed by capital raises and revised reserve estimates.
Prairie Provident Resources closed 2024 with a reorganisation of its assets and a strategic focus on the Basal Quartz formation, backed by capital raises and revised reserve estimates.
TotalEnergies welcomed the launch of a criminal investigation in Mozambique into allegations of crimes committed by security forces near its suspended gas project in Cabo Delgado province.
Baker Hughes will provide integrated coiled-tubing drilling services to Dubai Petroleum Establishment as part of the Margham gas storage project, reinforcing its role in the emirate’s energy security.
Baker Hughes will provide integrated coiled-tubing drilling services to Dubai Petroleum Establishment as part of the Margham gas storage project, reinforcing its role in the emirate’s energy security.
Algeria announces an ambitious goal to increase its annual natural gas production to 200 billion cubic meters within five years, supported by significant investments and strategic infrastructure projects aimed at the international market.
Algeria announces an ambitious goal to increase its annual natural gas production to 200 billion cubic meters within five years, supported by significant investments and strategic infrastructure projects aimed at the international market.
Europe is considering various energy strategies up to 2050, revealing highly variable costs and an uncertain future for natural gas demand amid political pressure to achieve carbon neutrality at lower costs.
Europe is considering various energy strategies up to 2050, revealing highly variable costs and an uncertain future for natural gas demand amid political pressure to achieve carbon neutrality at lower costs.

Advertising