South Stream advancing steadily

The Gazprom Management Committee took note of the information concerning the progress with the South Stream gas pipeline construction. It was pointed out that the project was advancing steadily. Intensive efforts are being made in all of the countries to be crossed by the pipeline.

Offshore construction

As part of the offshore construction process all the design and survey activities are completed for a deepwater section. The work continues on the gas pipeline design offshore and onshore the Russian and Bulgarian sectors. Approval is received with regard to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Russian offshore section. The EIA findings for the Bulgarian offshore section are expected before December 2013. The bidding procedure is organised for the selection of pipe supply and deepwater laying contractors.

Construction

On 31^st October, 2013 the ceremony of welding the first joint of South Stream’s Bulgarian section took place near the Rasovo compressor station site. As soon as this month, construction will start in the Republic of Serbia. At present, a plan of the Serbian section route is approved, archaeological surveys are performed and EIA data are prepared.

Design documentation

In January 2014 it is expected to complete the technical part of the design documentation for determining a route for the Hungarian section. Until now, the bidding procedure has been performed for the selection of contractors carrying out design and survey activities, spatial planning and EIA procedures in Hungary.

EIA and spatial planning documents

In the Republic of Slovenia the work is underway on the preparation of the EIA and spatial planning documents. In the Republic of Croatia the Shareholders Agreement on the joint project company management is being developed based on the Action Plan for the South Stream project, as well as a draft agreement and a scope of work are being agreed on for devising the design documentation.

Republika Srpska

In June 2013 a roadmap was signed for the implementation of South Stream related energy projects in Republika Srpska. At the moment, an intergovernmental agreement is being devised as regards co-operation when building and operating a South Stream branch as well as power generation facilities in Republika Srpska.

Russia

In Russia the work is in progress on the construction of Southern Corridor – the gas transmission designed, inter alia, for feeding gas into South Stream.

The Southern Corridor and South Stream related activities are meeting its schedule. As planned, the first gas will be supplied via South Stream in late 2015.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/15112013/south_stream_advancing_steadily/