Eastring pipeline to start operation in late 2018

The Eastring gas pipeline is due to begin commercial operation by the end of 2018, according to a draft bill from the Economy Ministry that was discussed at a regular session of the Government on Wednesday. The technical capacity of the pipeline should be 20 billion cubic metres in the first phase of the project and as much as 40 billion cubic metres in the final phase. The length of the pipeline, depending on what the final decision about its route will be, should be between 740 to over 1000 km. The costs expected for the first phase should be around €1.14-1.52 billion. The Eastring pipeline was designed to serve as an alternative to the planned Russian South Stream pipeline. "Compared to other projects, it's the most effective pipeline project in the region at the moment in terms of investment and time," reads the document of the Ministry. The gas flowing through the pipeline will potentially come from Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Cyprus and Western Europe. The pipeline will also allow for the reverse flow of gas.