Turkey, Istanbul, July 13 / Trend /
The Nabucco participants-countries signed the inter-governmental agreement in Ankara on July 13. The document was signed by heads of Turkish, Austrian, Hungarian governments and energy ministers of Bulgaria and Romania. Ministers of 20 countries, as well as U.S special envoy for Eurasian energy Richard Morningstar, deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs Matthew Bryza, European Commissioner for energy Andris Piebalgs participated in the ceremony. Azerbaijani Industry and Energy Minister Natiq Aliyev represented Azerbaijan.
Nabucco project worth €7.9 billion envisages gas supply from the Caspian region to EU countries. Participants of the project include Austrian OMV, Hungarian MOL, Bulgarian Bulgargaz, Romanian Transgaz, Turksih Botas and German RWE. Each of participants has equal share to the amount of 16.67 percent.
Construction of gas pipeline was scheduled for 2011. The first supplies will be launched in 2014. Maximal capacity of pipeline will hit 31 billion cubic meters of per year.
"Open season" process - receiving of bids for filling pipeline up will occur after signing of the inter-governmental agreement. The investment solution is expected to be adopted in the first quarter of 2010.