A rupture in a gas transmission pipeline in south-west Bulgaria has halted the flow of Russian natural gas through Bulgaria to Greece, state gas company Bulgartransgaz chief executive Vladimir Malinov has revealed.
The pipeline ruptured on 27 July but there were no casualties as a result of the explosion, according to Malinov.
Reuters quoted Malinov as stating: “There was a rupture in the pipeline that was transporting gas under high pressure. The damaged section was automatically sealed off after a drop in pressure was registered.”
According to the Greek energy ministry, the accident did not pose any risk to the gas supplies security in Greece, as the country continued to receive gas via a pipeline connection with Turkey.
Around 200m of pipeline near the village of Kulata along the border with Greece was destroyed.
The cause of the incident is unclear and is yet to be investigated. Repair work is currently underway.
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By GlobalDataBulgartransgaz said in a statement: “The failure caused disruption to the gas pipeline integrity at 200m upstream the valve at Kulata. The section has been cut off and all actions required for the urgent repair works and restoration of the natural gas transport to Greece have been made.
“Gas network users will be informed in due time of the restoration of gas supply.”
Bulgaria transports approximately three billion cubic metres (bcm) per annum of natural gas to Greece.
