The Project
Nabucco is the new gas bridge from Asia to Europe and the flagship project in the Southern Corridor. It will be a pipeline to connect the world’s richest gas regions - the Caspian region and Middle East - to the European consumer markets.
The pipeline will link the Eastern border of Turkey, to Baumgarten in Austria - one of the most important gas turntables in Central Europe - via Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. When completed the 3,900 km pipeline’s annual capacity will be 31 bcm. The construction of the pipeline is supported by the 2009 Intergovernmental Agreement signed in Ankara in July 2009, which harmonises the legal framework and grants stable and equal transport conditions for all partners and customers.
It is widely acknowledged that Central and Western Europe will face a considerable shortfall in its energy supply over the next two decades, with gas prices expected to increase as domestic production declines. Consequently, it is crucial that new infrastructure be established to meet further demand and ensure both security of supply and supply diversification.
The main pipeline will be built in one phase. Construction will start in 2013, first gas will flow in 2017.
Facts & Figures