Transgaz to Start Works on Tuzla-Podisor Gas Pipeline

The order for the commencement of works on the Tuzla-Podisor gas transmission pipeline will be issued on June 16 during a ceremony at the Victoria Palace. It will be signed by Ion Sterian, CEO of Transgaz.

“This is a very important event for Romania, it represents a historic moment that was long overdue,” Ion Sterian stressed.

The gas pipeline, with a length of over 300 kilometres, will make it possible for Black Sea gas to enter the National Transmission System (NTS) via the Podisor technological node and thus reach economic operators and households in the localities connected to the system.

Another benefit of this project is the link it will make between new sources of natural gas in the Trans-Balkan Corridor and the Vertical Corridor, of which the BRUA pipeline is also a part.

On March 16, 2023, Transgaz, OMV Petrom and Romgaz signed the declaration on the conclusion of contracts for booking NTS entry-exit capacity at the Tuzla point, the penultimate step for the exploitation of gas from the Neptun Deep Block. On this occasion, Romania’s Energy Minister Virgil Popescu said: “This is a new important step for the exploitation of Black Sea gas from the Neptun Deep Block. By concluding this contract, the technical capacity necessary to take gas into the National Transmission System is booked, which will allow the marketing of natural gas from the Neptun Deep Block. The contract was concluded for the period September 2026 to September 2042. I encourage Romgaz and OMV Petrom to speed up the process in order to start the exploitation works as soon as possible. Because we want Romanian gas to be used in the homes of Romanians and, at the same time, to ensure our energy independence.”

The current estimated value of the project is approximately €478 million (VAT included). For this strategic investment, Transgaz has applied for grants from the Modernisation Fund, together with other five gas transmission infrastructure projects.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has recently approved and confirmed €1.1 billion in energy investments in Romania. In addition to priority investments in renewables and networks, the EIB also recommends the Tuzla-Podisor gas pipeline for EU funding.