MOSCOW, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Gazprom and its Bulgarian counterparts announced they were looking for a contractor to carry out a feasibility study for Sofia's section of South Stream.
Gazprom and Bulgarian Energy Holding said they initiated an open tender to carry out the study for the South Stream natural gas pipeline planned through Bulgarian territory.
Moscow said it would set up a formal joint venture in Bulgaria by Nov. 15 to draft a feasibility study for the South Stream natural gas pipeline.
Russian aims to find different routes to ship its natural gas to European consumers. The South Stream pipeline would move 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to Europe after it passes through the Turkish waters of the Black Sea.
Sofia was considered a possible host for Europe's planned Nabucco pipeline. Government officials said, however, that it wouldn't sanction a loan to build a 47-mile pipeline to connect to Turkey because of the consequences for the Bulgarian economy.
Marcel Kramer, the chief executive officer of the South Stream venture, said in October that progress on the project made him "feel very positive."
First gas is expected through South Stream by 2014.
