ICIS: South Stream’s Hungary natural gas transit route still in pole position - Gazprom

Russian natural gas major Gazprom has moved to dampen speculation that the route of the South Stream pipeline may be altered to pass through Croatia rather than Hungary, as has been widely reported in recent days.

A source close to the Russian company said Hungary remains Gazprom's preferred option for the transit of Russian gas to western Europe.

"Hungary is still the priority. It has been the proposed route from the beginning. Gazprom is looking at all of its options however, and still has some time before it must decide," he said.

The source was responding to comments made by Croatian transmission system operator (TSO) Plinacro. The TSO is eyeing a possible re-routing of the South Stream project, pointing out that the Croatian route would be shorter and cheaper.   MORE