Bulgaria and Romania will construct a back-up natural gas pipeline under the Danube river. This was announced by the transmission system operator in Bulgaria – Bulgartransgaz on Tueday.

In the beginning of April, Bulgartransgaz and its Romanian counterpart Transgaz signed a contract for the construction of the main gas pipeline of the Danube river undercrossing.

In addition to the main pipeline, representatives of the management of Bulgartransgaz and Transgaz signed on Monday a contract for the construction of back-up pipeline of the crossing of the Danube river to interconnect the gas transmission systems of the two countries.

In compliance with Romanian legislation, the association INSPET has been selected as the lead contractor for the project, while HABAU PPS Pipeline Systems has been chosen as the associated company.

The Austrian HABAU was selected as the lead contractor for the construction of the main pipeline, which should become operational in the middle of the summer.

According to the schedule, the back-up pipeline should be completed within 214 days after the opening of the construction site on the territory of both countries.

The crossing will measure 2.1 kilometres in length and the annual maximum capacity will be 1.5 billion cubic metres.

As with all other interconnections with neighbouring countries, the one with Romania is expected to improve the safety of Bulgaria's energy supplies.