Kazakhstan Opens Bulgas-Alexandroupolis Talks

Kazakhstan has used the World Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on 9-10 June to open discussion on its possible buy-in to the controversial Bulgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline.

Kazakhastan wants to acquire a share of the project owned by Greece and Bulgaria, which have partnered with Russia in the project.

The Bulgas-Alexandroupolis pipeline will be used to carry Russian and Caspian oil from the Bulgarian Black sea port of Bugas to the Greek Agean port of Alexandroupoli. Construction is due to start in 2008.

But it is unclear exactly who, at the time of completion, will have a stake in the 280km pipeline.

Presently Russia holds 51% of the €800m project, and Greece and Bulgaria 49% collectively.

Russia company Transneft, which heads the Russian stake with Rosneft and Gazprom Nect, has accused Bulgaria of laying silent on the project which has taken 13 years to bring to fruition.

In other reports, both Greece and Bulgaria have accused their Russian partner of setting impossible deadlines for pipeline production.

Talks are due to continue when representatives meet on 9 July in Sofia, Bulgaria to discuss the pipeline's design and build.