Public Consultations

Public consultation on business rules and exceptional events of draft Interconnection Agreement at the Interconnection Point of Komotini 27 June 2022 Documents in Public Consultation - An Interconnection Agreement at the Interconnection Point of Komotini is to be concluded between ICGB and DESFA, which will be effective as of the date when transmission capacity will be made available on both sides of the said Interconnection Point.

Important Note: due to physical constraints, DESFA is not able to offer Transmission Capacity at either direction in the IP Komotini (i.e. from NNGTS to ICGB and from ICGB to NNGTS), until certain reinforcement projects of the NNGTS are realized, under the provisions of applicable legislation (pls. refer to the provisions of EU Reg. 2017/459 pertaining to Incremental Capacity and the provisions of the NNGS Code).

The Interconnection Agreement will: a) secure the safe, reliable, and effective operation of the interconnected transmission systems; b) promote the development of a competitive and liquid Natural Gas market, c) determine the conditions for coordinated operation of the interconnected gas transmission systems d) establish data/information exchange and guarantee the bilateral collaboration of the contracting parties. The business rules and provisions dealing with the exceptional events, related to the Natural Gas transmission through the IP are included in this Interconnection Agreement. ICGB presents for public consultation the above business rules, namely the confirmation/matching and the allocation procedures of the quantities at IP, as well as the provisions dealing with exceptional events.

This consultation is intended to collect views from all parties interested in transmitting natural gas through IP Komotini. ICGB AD invites all interested parties to provide comments on the above procedures between 27 June 2022 17:00 CET until 27 August 2022 23:59 CET. Please follow the guidelines as specifically described in the text “IA Public Consultation Guidelines” and use the Comments Template for submitting your comments. The filled-in Response Template should be submitted in the English language to the following e-mail: office@icgb.eu with the subject title “IA at the IP of Komotini consultation process / COMMENTS”. DESFA will invite Network Users to submit comments on the Consultation Process for the IA at the IP of Komotini simultaneously with ICGB.

Word: IA Komotini PC Response Template
PDF: Komotini Public Consultation guidelines
PDF: IA DESFA ICGB Public Cons Part

Dear Partners,

In connection with the initial filling with natural gas of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria and the planned auction on June 8, 2022 (Wednesday) from 10:00 to 16:00, we would like to inform you that the starting price of the auction will be the current reference price of a monthly product that is traded on the Balkan Gas Hub with delivery in June, 2022. The gas quantities will stay the same.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the price at which the gas will be paid after the auction will be the final price of a monthly product traded on the Balkan Gas Hub with delivery in June 2022, published at 17:00 o’clock on 30.06 by Balkan Gas Hub, minus discount (if applicable) reached during the auction.

Dear Partners,

In connection with the initial filling with natural gas of the Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria and the planned auction on June 6, 2022 (Monday) from 10:00 to 16:00, due to lack of approved by the EWRC price for natural gas at which the public supplier sells to final suppliers and to the entities licensed for production and transmission of heat for the month of June, the starting price of the auction will be the finally proposed price at which the public supplier sells natural gas to final suppliers and entities licensed for production and transmission of heat for the month of June 2022.

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that the price at which the gas will be paid after the auction will be the price for natural gas approved by the EWRC, at which the public supplier sells to final suppliers and entities licensed for production and transmission of heat for the month of June 2022 minus the discount (if applicable) reached during the auction.

Dear partners,

In connection with the initial filling with natural gas of the interconnector Greece-Bulgaria, ICGB AD will organize and conduct auctions for the purchase of the necessary quantities on the platform of BALKAN GAS HUB EAD.

The starting date for the auction is June 6, 2022 (Monday) from 10:00 to 16:00 local time (Sofia). Detailed information on the conditions and the contract for supply of natural gas can be found in the documents attached to this announcement.

For additional information and questions:
e-mail: office@icgb.eu 
Phone: +359 (2) 4513 545
Fax: +359 (2) 9250 392

e-mail commercial@icgb.eu 
Slav Nikolov - Market Research Manager (+359 889 218 202)
Zhivko Georgiev - Sales Operations Manager (+359 884 663 925)

PDF: Terms for conducting natural gas sale/purchase auctions for ICGB AD technological needs

PDF: Contract on sale/ purchase of natural gas for ICGB AD technological needs

ICGB AD and BULGARTRANSGAZ EAD intend to conclude an interconnection agreement for the Interconnection Point Stara Zagora. Both TSOs invite the network users to comment on the proposed text of:

1. the matching process rules;
2. the rules for the allocation of gas quantities;
3. the communication procedures in case of exceptional events.

ICGB AD and BULGARTRANSGAZ EAD are submitting for public consultation the rules for the matching process and allocation of gas quantities, the communication procedures in case of exceptional events as well as other Network User relevant provisions.

This consultation will run from 25.05.2022 until 15.06.2022.

The public consultation has the aim to collect the opinions from all potential network users regarding the transmission of natural gas through the IP Stara Zagora.

The present Draft Interconnection Agreement envisages the physical flow of natural gas in both directions (from Bulgaria to Greece and from Greece to Bulgaria).

All responses should be submitted to both TSOs in English at: office@icgb.eu and info@bulgartransgaz.bg.

Please indicate explicitly if the responses contain information which is confidential with regard to third parties.

ICGB AD and BULGARTRANSGAZ EAD will evaluate the comments received during the consultation, and if necessary, adjust the text of the draft Interconnection Agreement.

The relevant provisions of the draft Interconnection Agreement between ICGB AD and BULGARTRANSGAZ EAD are available here.

We are looking forward to receiving your opinions.

In accordance with the requirements of the Regulation (EU) 2017/459, establishing a network code on capacity allocation mechanisms in gas transmission systems, ICGB and DESFA prepared their first joint Demand Assessment Report (DAR) of incremental capacity on the interconnection point between neighboring gas transmission systems of ICGB and DESFA.

Interested parties can send their comments on the draft Project Proposal for Incremental Capacity to the following e-mail address: office@icgb.eu, until 21st November 2021. Please note that the comments received may be shared with the National Regulatory Authority.

PDF: The draft Project Proposal

In compliance with the European and national regulatory requirements as well as EU Commission Decision, dated 25.07.2018 on the exemption of IGB from the requirements of third-party access, tariff regulation and ownership unbundling, the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE), Greece and Water and Energy Regulatory Commission (EWRC), Bulgaria  issued a Joint Decision of Energy Regulators on the approval of the Network Code of IGB Pipeline including IGB Tariff Code.

PDF: Joint Decision of the Energy Regulators on the approval of the IGB Network Code

TAP and ICGB intend to conclude an interconnection agreement for the Interconnection Point Komotini. According to Art. 4. (2) of Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 establishing a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules, both TSOs invite the network users to comment on the proposed text of:

• the rules for matching process,
• the rules for the allocation of gas quantities,
• the communication procedures in case of exceptional events.

The public consultation shall be carried out from 30.09.2019 until 29.11.2019.
Public Consultation Guideline is available here.
All responses should be submitted in the attached form here in English at: office@icgb.eu.
The relevant provisions of the draft Interconnection Agreement between TAP and ICGB are available here.

We are looking forward to receiving your opinions.

30/09/2019

In compliance with the European and national regulatory requirements, ICGB AD invites all interested parties to participate in public consultation on IGB Network Code, attachments to it as well as the Gas Transportation Agreement, which will take place on 31.07.2019, at 10:00 o’clock, Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, bul. „Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov” № 8-10, floor 4.

The announcement is available on the website on Energy and Water Regulatory Commission http://www.dker.bg/news/376/65/pokana-za-obschestveno-obszhdane.html

Starting from 31.07.2019 for a period of 14 days, all interested parties may submit their opinions on IGB Network Code to the company’s official email: office@icgb.eu 

30/07/2019

In compliance with the European and national regulatory requirements, ICGB AD invites all interested parties to participate in public consultation on IGB Tariff Code, which will take place on 08.05.2019, at 10:00 o’clock at the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission, bul. „Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov” № 8-10, floor 4.

The announcement is available on the website on Energy and Water Regulatory Commission here.

PDF: Tariff Code for IGB 2019

19/04/2019

In 2013 EIA (Environmental impact assessment) approval procedures in the two countries were completed with the issuance of positive decisions by the competent authorities in Bulgarian and Greek territory. In the 2014-2015 period the engineering of the pipeline route for construction and relevant approval procedures in the two territories were finalized, while the DSP-parcelling plan of the pipeline in the Bulgarian territory came into force.

In the period 2015-2017, the procedure for establishing property rights for the Bulgarian section of the pipeline for all affected approximately 3800 landed properties was successfully completed. On the basis of the completed expropriation procedures the permitting procedures for obtaining the construction permit on the Bulgarian territory were started. The Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works issued the construction permit for the Bulgarian section on 12.09.2017, following the expiry of the  time limit for appeals, the same entered into force on 04.10.2017.

Pursuant to the Greek legislation the construction permit for the Greek territory can be received once the pipeline obtains a license for a transmission system operator, which will happen after the decision for exemption from the rules for tariff, ownership and access to third parties pursuant to Article 36 from Directive 2009/73/EC is taken. At the end of 2018, the company has submitted all necessary documents, with the construction permit for the Greek territory which was issued on 7 February 2019.

As a result of the successfully completed Market Test and reserved 1,57 bcm/y ICGB signed Advanced Reservation Capacity Agreements (ARCAs) with the participants in the binding phase of the Market Test.

Based on the signed in July 2017 agreements, the Project Company submitted and exemption application from the rules of art. 36 of Directive 2009/73/EC to the national regulatory authorities of Republic of Greece and Republic of Bulgaria.
As a result of the consultations held with the regulators in March 2018 the Project Company submitted addendum to the application.

The decision of the Regulators on the exemption procedure was taken in May 2018 which was sent for approval to the EC and on 25.07.2018 the formal decision by the Committee was announced.

As a result of the adopted on 08.08.2018 by the EC decision the regulatory authorities of Greece and Bulgaria formally adopted a joint exemption decision of the IGB Project.

The decision taken confirms the measures requested by the project company in the application filed, in particular:

•  Exemption from the rules for third-party access for the capacity booked under the Market test completed;
•  Exemption from regulated tariff for all the gas pipeline capacity for a period of 25 years.
•  Exemption from ownership unbundling for a period of 25 years.

The award of the exemption decision establishes the regulatory framework of the pipeline. In view of the decision taken, the project company can proceed to the following activities:

•  Obtaining the construction permit for the Greek section of the pipeline. The permit is issued on 7 February 2019.
•  Preparation of the Gas Transportation Agreements with the shippers, reserved capacity for the pipeline. (currently there are advanced agreements).
•  Submission of an application for certification as an independent transmission operator in the Republic of Greece.

In view of the decision taken the Project company has submitted to the Regulators for approval the Tariff and the Network Code for the pipeline.

ICGB AD is a sector contracting authority pursuant to the provisions of the Public Procurement Act (PPA). Due to this capacity all contracts for awarding activities related to engineering, construction, procurement and commissioning shall be awarded through the procedures stipulated in this act.

Selection of Owners’ Engineer – Awarded on 15.03.2019 to Consortium TIBEI.

Manufacture and supply of line pipes – ongoing technical evaluation. Expected in April 2019

Design, procurement and construction – Phase 2 – submission of offers by the preselected participants. The selection is expected in May 2019.

Archeological research along the pipeline route on Bulgarian territory – awarded to NAIM-BAS on 6 August 2018.

Construction supervision for the Bulgarian section – preselection. Expected in April 2019.

5 August 2016

ICGB AD, project company developing the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB), equally controlled by IGI Poseidon SA of Greece and Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD of Bulgaria,  announces the launch of the 2nd Bidding Phase of the IGB Market Test through the publication of the relevant Bidding Phase  Guidelines.

The Market Test is conducted in two phases: the Expression of Interest Phase that was concluded by April 8th 2016 and the Bidding Phase that starts today.

The Bidding Phase Guidelines have been approved by the relevant National Regulatory Authorities, namely  EWRC of Bulgaria with Decision No.У-3 of 21 July 2016 and RAE of Greece with Decision No. 255/2016 of 28 July 2016.

The Expression of Interest Participants  and TSOs will be directly informed, provided with the relevant documents and invited to participate in the Bidding Phase in accordance with art. 3 of the Bidding Phase Guidelines.

PDF: Guidelines for management and allocation of capacity on the IGB INTERCONNECTOR

27 April 2016

Nine non-binding Expressions of Interest were received by ICGB AD – the company in charge of realizing the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria (IGB). A total aggregate capacity of 4.3 bcm/y was requested for gas transportation services in firm forward mode from Greece to Bulgaria and approximately 1 bcm/y was requested for gas transportation services in firm reverse mode from Bulgaria to Greece during the Expressions of Interest Phase.

The ICGB AD Company, being in charge of realizing the Gas Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria - IGB, announces the completion of the Expression of Interest (EoI) Phase of the Market Test, which is conducted for the purpose of booking capacity in the pipeline.

The deadline of the Expression of Interest Phase expired on April 8th 2016, in accordance with previous deadline extensions approved by the National Regulatory Authorities of Bulgaria and Greece, EWRC and RAE respectively.

The EoI Phase was launched on December the 14th 2015. The EoI Phase has been conducted on the basis of Guidelines and EoI Notice jointly issued by EWRC and RAE, pursuant to Paragraph 6 of article 36 of Directive 2009/73/EC.

“The satisfactory outcome of the EoI Phase is a successful step for ICGB and the development of the IGB Project as part of the envisaged evolution of the Bulgarian, South East and Central European gas markets towards alternative sources and routes of gas supply ensured through the provision of gas transportation services in a vertical direction from the Southern Gas Corridor. The availability of IGB’s capacity will furthermore provide a reliable route for LNG imports into the region through the existing and planned LNG re-gasification capacities in Greece”, Teodora Georgieva and Konstantinos Karayannakos, Executive Officers of ICGB AD, commented.

The Market Test will enter into a 2nd binding Bidding Phase further to instruction and approval of the National Regulatory Authorities of Bulgaria and Greece. The Bidding Phase will provide a process to confirm what will be the actual level of booked capacity on a contractual basis.

31 March 2016

The extension of the Expressions of Interest deadline is made following a relative consultation and coordination with the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (Bulgaria) and the Regulatory Authority for Energy (Greece).

With the exception of the Expressions of Interest deadline, all other terms and conditions in the Market Test documentation published hereby remain in force.

The company ICGB AD (ICGB) is in charge of developing, constructing and operating the Interconnector Greece- Bulgaria gas pipeline (IGB). ICGB has applied to the regulatory authorities of Bulgaria (EWRC) and Greece (RAE) for an exemption from certain provisions of EU Directive 2009/73/EC in accordance with art.36 therein.

ICGB is launching a Market Test procedure as per “Updated Guidelines for management and allocation of capacity on the IGB INTERCONNECTOR according to paragraph 6 of article 36 of Directive 2009/73/EC” (UPDATED GUIDELINES), jointly issued by  EWRC and RAE.

All Interested Shippers and TSOs are being invited to express interest in using IGB gas transportation services.  The interest of other Transmission System Operators to interconnect their systems with the IGB Pipeline is also being invited. The Market Test is divided into two phases: 1. Expression of Interest Phase (on a non-binding basis); 2. Bidding Phase (on a binding basis).

Participation in the Expression of Interest Phase is a prerequisite for subsequent participation in the Bidding Phase. The Expression of Interest Phase, where interested parties are invited to present non-binding expressions of interest, starts with the publication of the Expression of Interest Notice.

All terms and conditions for participation in the Expression of Interest Phase, and subsequent steps, are contained in the Expression of Interest Notice. The Expression of Interest Phase is being conducted in the English language.

1. Expression of Interest Notice
2. Updated Guidelines
3. Exhibit II
4. Exhibit III
5. Questions & Answers

In connection with upcoming procedures pursuant to Bulgarian legislation for approval of an investment project and issuing a construction permit and due to a terminated previous tender procedure, the joint investment company ICGB AD announces a tender procedure for the selection of a contractor for ‘Acquisition of real rights over the properties for the sites of the gas pipeline and establishing right of way for the linear section and ancillary infrastructure for the Bulgarian section of Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria project’.

The joint investment company ICGB AD is responsible for financing the engineering and construction of Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB project) and is to be owner of the facility. Shareholders with equal shares in the company are Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD and IGI Poseidon S.A.

The complete documentation for participation in the said tender for selection of a contractor as well as all conditions, including deadlines for application are available at the following web addresses:

www.icgb.eu (section – Commercial, regulatory and tender procedures)
www.bgenh.com (section – Announcements / Procedures)

File 1

File 2

File 3

File 4

File 5

File 6

File 7

File 8

File 9

File 10

File 11

Questions and answers_1

In connection with upcoming procedures pursuant to Bulgarian legislation for approval of an investment project and issuing a construction permit, the joint investment company ICGB AD announces a tender procedure for the selection of a contractor for ‘Acquisition of real rights over the properties for the sites of the gas pipeline and establishing right of way for the linear section and ancillary infrastructure for the Bulgarian section of Interconnector Greece-Bulgaria project’.

The joint investment company ICGB AD is responsible for financing the engineering and construction of Greece-Bulgaria Interconnector (IGB project) and is to be owner of the facility. Shareholders with equal shares in the company are Bulgarian Energy Holding EAD and IGI Poseidon S.A.

The complete documentation for participation in the said tender for selection of a contractor as well as all conditions, including deadlines for application are available at the following web addresses:

www.icgb.eu (section – Commercial, regulatory and tender procedures)

www.bgenh.com (section – Announcements / Procedures)

Deadline for submission of applications - 17:00 h, on 27th February 2014.

Appendix 1, Appendix 1А, Appendix 2, Appendix 2А, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, Appendix 5, Appendix 6, Appendix 7, Appendix 8, Appendix 9

Questions and answers

Questions and answers 2

Questions and answers 3

Questions and answers4

Questions and answers 5