Submarine pipelines

The TurkStream natural gas pipeline project, which will carry Russian gas to Turkey, is expected to be finalized by the end of 2019, according to the energy and natural sources minister.

Greece plans to split its natural gas company DEPA into two separate entities, its distribution grid and its commercial operations, the country's deputy energy minister said on Thursday.

The European Investment Bank agreed on Thursday a 110 million euros ($121 million) loan for the construction of a 182-km gas pipeline linking Bulgaria with Greece that will end Sofia's complete dependence on Russian gas and help diversify supplies in southeastern Europe.

Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas to Bulgaria will ensure real diversification of sources, said Bulgaria's Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Trend reports.

Italy will not allow the Poseidon gas pipeline being developed by Italy's Edison and Greece's DEPA to make landfall as planned in southern Italy, the Italian prime minister said on Tuesday.

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has crossed the rocky mountains of Albania, putting it on track to start delivering gas to Europe next year.
Stretching for 878 km (546 miles) from Turkey's border across Greece, Albania's mountains, and the Adriatic Sea to Italy, TAP is a cornerstone of the European Union's energy security policy to wean the bloc off Russian gas.

Greece and Bulgaria have agreed to work on the updated schedule of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), which envisages transportation of Azerbaijani gas, Trend reports.

The southern gas corridor is at the heart of diversification not only for Bulgaria but also for the whole of Europe, Energy Minister Temenujka Petkova told Darik. The role of Bulgaria is key via the connector with Greece, because new gas supplies will be provided from the Caspian region, she explained.

Five companies and consortia have been short-listed to file bids in a 145 million euro ($165.65 million) tender to design and build a gas pipeline between Bulgaria and Greece, data from the company overseeing delivery of the project, ICGB, showed on Tuesday, reports Reuters.

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) has completed its 3.9-billion-euro project financing, paving the way for construction to be completed for start-up in 2020, its managing director said on Friday.