Hungarian minister of state says IGB 'breakthrough' for Europe's energy security

The Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB) is a breakthrough for Europe's energy security, Hungary's State Secretary for Security Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Sztáray said at the fifth Romanian International Gas Conference.

According to Report, he spoke about various alternatives that would reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

"Also Azerbaijan is increasing gas deliveries to Europe... It is very encouraging to see how the countries show solidarity on this issue," Péter Sztáray said.

On September 21-22, Bucharest hosts the Romanian International Gas Conference, which is also attended by Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov.

IGB provides for the transportation of "blue fuel" to Bulgaria, produced within the II stage of exploitation of gas condensate field "Shah Deniz" in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea. State-owned Bulgargaz EAD has signed a contract with the Shah Deniz consortium to supply 1 billion cubic metres of gas from the Shah Deniz-2 field. Azerbaijani natural gas will meet 25-30 per cent of Bulgaria's needs.

As many as 150 kilometers of the pipeline with a total length of 182 kilometers run through the territory of Bulgaria. The annual throughput capacity of the pipeline is expected to be 3-5 billion cubic meters.