Bulgartransgaz Resumes Pipeline Tendering

Bulgartransgaz has restarted the tendering process for its pipeline expansion plan and extended the deadline to allow for interruptions, the Bulgarian state transmission system operator  said February 28.

The process was suspended by an appeal to the Competition Protection Commission (CPC), which has now ruled that no action will be taken. Bulgartransgaz did not say who had appealed against the procurement process. 

The CPC’s ruling of February 21 has not been appealed and has thus entered into force. Bulgartransgaz said all legal prerequisites are now in place for the process to be resumed. The new deadline for submitting bids is March 6 and the new date for the public meeting is the following day. 

Russian gas exporter Gazprom is planning to deliver gas to Serbia through Bulgaria, as it extends the 15.75bn m³/yr TurkStream 2 gasline into central Europe.

Russian oil and gas pipe maker TMK has been watching Bulgartransgaz' progress in resurrecting the process. “TMK is considering the possibility of participation in the Bulgartransgaz tender aimed at Bulgaria’s gas transportation system expansion,” a spokesman told Reuters February 26.