Sustainability and Sub-Contractors OSD were commissioned in 2018 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to undertake technical, environmental and social monitoring for the Romanian section of the Bulgarian-Romanian-Hungarian-Austrian Natural Gas Transmission Corridor Project (BRUA or the Project).
The Project, currently in the construction phase is being executed by Transgaz, a Romanian state-owned company and technical operator of the national natural gas transmission system in Romania.
In fulfilling the role of Lenders’ Independent Technical, Environmental and Social Consultant (TESC), Sustainability’s team recently completed the first of biannual monitoring visits. The aim of the review is to ensure environmental and social performance requirements as set by the EBRD are maintained during the construction phase.
The overall role of the TESC is to monitor the Project’s management of Environment and Social matters, including the implementation and adequacy of the Project Environmental and Social Management System and implementation of a suite of environmental and social management plans intended to address applicable Project standards, notably the EBRD’s Performance Standards. Sustainability also monitor the Project to ensure the Project is prepared and is being implemented according to the schedule, with the assumed construction budget and timetable, agreed procurement plans and procedures as well as the expected technical characteristics.
Sustainability’s experience in compliance auditing and environmental and social consulting provides the specialised expertise to ensure these programs provide value to all stakeholders involved.
About the project:
The greater BRUA natural gas corridor is a 1,318 km pipeline Project being developed to ensure the integration of European gas markets and increase the routes and sources of supply. The main objectives of the Project include diversification of natural gas supply sources in European markets and transmission of natural gas volumes from the Caspian region to Central European markets. The Project is expected to provide connectivity with future gas infrastructure Projects, Central European gas hubs, and prospective gas transportation from Black Sea deposits.
The Romanian section of the 32” buried BRUA pipeline will connect the existing Bulgarian and Hungarian transmission systems via a new pipeline that spans a total length of 528 km (478 km in Phase 1, 50 km in Phase 2) from Podisor in the southeast region of Romania via Hateg to Horia in the west. The pipeline will interconnect with the existing systems at the Giurgiu interconnection point (IP) and Csanadpalota IP respectively. Three new Gas Compressor Stations (GCS) will be located at Podisor, Bibesti and Jupa.