Transgaz kicks off BRHA works

Transgaz, the operator of the national natural gas transmission system in Romania, has started the construction of the National Gas Transmission System along the Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria (BRHA) corridor, a national interest project.

The order to start the works to the gas compressor stations Podisor, Bibesti and Jupa within the “Development of the National Gas Transmission System along the Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria (BRHA) corridor, phase 1″ project was signed in mid-April this year.

The phase I will include the construction of the Podisor (Giurgiu county)- Recas (Timis county) gas pipeline, which is 479km long. The total sum of money estimated for the first phase mounts to EUR 478.6 million.

Each station will be equipped with two compressor units (one active and one redundant) and will have the technical capability to enable bidirectional gas flows. 405 of the eligible costs are covered by the European Union, through a grant worth EUR 179.3 million.

According to the Economy Ministry, the project is a strategic one for Romania, and the works schedule must be strictly observed, „for it is an investment project that is much too important to have deviations”.

Upon the completion of phase 1 the following gas flows will be ensured to Hungary, by the interconnection Horia-Csanadpalota, 1.75 bcma (200 thousand cm/h), 40 bar border pressure and to Bulgaria, by the interconnection Ruse-Giurgiu, 1.5 bcma (171 thousand cm/h), 30 bar border pressure. The estimated completion date is end-December 2019.

BRHA’s phase 1 is considered to be a regional priority project. It is included in the CESEC (Central East South Europe Gas Connectivity) list to play a significant role in the increase in the security of gas supply and regional interconnectivity.