Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec.6
By Leman Zeynalova – Trend:
The Eastring pipeline project repeatedly obtained the status of the Project of Common Interest (PCI) for the European Union, said the message on the project’s website.
The project was enlisted in the 3rd list of PCIs which European Commission published in November.
Eastring is the project of bi-directional gas pipeline interconnector between Slovakia and the external border of the EU on the territory of Bulgaria. Eastring will transport natural gas from different areas and alternative sources. At the first stage, it will provide the Balkans and/or even Turkey with gas from the European gas market.
Eastring has obtained the PCI status for the first time in November 2015 (2nd PCI list).
Earlier, Public Relations and Communication specialist at Slovakia’s Eustream company Pavol Kubik told Trend that there is significant potential for the delivery of gas via the Southern Gas Corridor to Europe through the Eastring gas pipeline.
"Eastring project is not linked to any supplier. Therefore, it will be open for every source on the non-discriminatory basis in full compliance with EU legislation. In this context, we believe there is a significant potential towards Caspian region and Southern Gas Corridor route," said Kubik.
The Southern Gas Corridor is one of the priority energy projects for the EU. It envisages the transportation of gas from the Caspian region to the European countries through Georgia and Turkey.
At the initial stage, the gas to be produced as part of the Stage 2 of development of Azerbaijan's Shah Deniz field is considered as the main source for the Southern Gas Corridor projects. Other sources can also connect to this project at a later stage.
As part of the Stage 2 of the Shah Deniz development, the gas will be exported to Turkey and European markets by expanding the South Caucasus Pipeline and the construction of Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline and Trans Adriatic Pipeline.
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