The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRRD) has distributed photos from the inspection of the Bulgarian part of the intersystem gas connection Greece-Bulgaria, which was carried out by the Ministers of Regional Development and Public Works Arch.

Ivan Shishkov and Hristo Alexiev of Transport and Communications on Wednesday, August 10.

This was announced by the regional ministry.

The two visited the Stara Zagora Gas Measuring Station, Crane Node 6, located next to the village of Trakia, as well as the Irrigation Systems channel and the Dispatch Center in the village of Stamboliyski.

"The gas connection with Greece is not ready. The object looks like a luxury building with furniture, but there is no electricity and good access to it".

This is what Minister Shishkov told journalists.

He confirmed that for the faster completion of the site, there will be daily inspections by the regional structures of DNSK in Haskovo and Stara Zagora.

On a daily basis, they will report on the completed construction and installation works.

In practice, the supervisory company will receive an office at the headquarters of DNSK.

Thus, together with the head of the directorate, they will be able to collect all the necessary documents for putting the connector into operation.

The company that built the gas interconnector with Greece: All 182 km and adjacent facilities are filled with natural gas

"We want, while the builder completes the unfinished construction activities, the supervision and DNSK check all the documents for the finished segments, so that there is no delay in the aftermath," noted arch.

Shishkov.

This will allow time to be gained, and when the construction is ready, a reception commission will be formed the very next day and the gas pipeline will be put into operation.

The minister also informed that MRRD is in constant contact with the contractor of the project.

Some of the activities that were reported as unfinished are now almost finished.

Among them are key fire water mains.

However, the inspection found that there is still unfinished screed on the construction of the gas measuring station in Stara Zagora.

After its completion, the building will be cleared because it is now like a construction site. 

Minister Shishkov emphasized that priority will be given to the commissioning of the gas connection, and all finishing activities, such as construction of service roads, restoration of damage to irrigation canals, etc., will be completed in the second stage.

What will not prevent the facility from being used will be implemented at the first stage, assured the regional minister. 

According to arch.

Shishkov, the most problematic remains the computer connection of the gas pipeline with the facilities in Greece.

It is essential for gas to flow. 

Yesterday, the company "ICGB" (ICGB), which is developing the gas interconnection project between Greece and Bulgaria, announced that they had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications to introduce a phased implementation of the remaining activities until the start of commercial operation of the facility.

The main goal is for all activities necessary for the start of commercial operation to be carried out as a priority in stage 1, which will allow a timely start of natural gas transmission along the interconnector, the company explained in its press release.

All other activities that are not directly related to the operation of the facility are separated into a separate stage.

They will continue to be implemented in parallel with the operation of the facility.  

In stage 1, the highest priority activities include: the already completed construction of the gas pipeline and ground facilities, as well as cathodic protection testing, laying signs along the gas pipeline, completing the integration and testing of the SCADA system for automatic control and management of the interconnector, testing of the fire protection system of the dispatch center, etc.

Among the activities identified in a separate stage are: completion of the laying of a spare optical cable, implementation of anti-erosion measures along the route of the gas pipeline, completion of the road to the gas measurement station (GIS) Stara Zagora, ICGB adds.

All the mentioned activities are part of the commitments of the Greek company AVAX, which executes the contract for the design, construction and commissioning of the gas pipeline.

The builder has submitted to ICGB information indicating the end of August for the completion of the activities of stage 1, which will allow a quick commissioning of the gas pipeline.

This also includes the priority completion of the automated (SCADA) gas pipeline control system.

"ICGB" continues to work actively to fulfill the necessary requirements for obtaining a Permit to Use and the relevant permits for Greece, communicating and fully assisting all institutions that have a commitment to this process, the company states.