Ungheni-Iasi gas pipeline to be built by November 2013

The installation of the gas pipeline connecting the Moldovan town of Ungheni with the Romanian city of Iasi will start in February 2013 and will last for 7 months until November. This was discussed by Moldovan Prime Minister Vlad Filat at a meeting with Gheorghe Dutu, head of Romania's National Agency for Mineral Resources, the Moldovan Government announced in a press release. At the meeting, Gheorghe Dutu presented to Vlad Filat the schedule developed by the Romanian side for the share of the work on its territory. “In approximately 30 days we are planning to invite bids from contractors and a period of 7 months should suffice for the completion of the work”, said Dutu. Vlad Filat said that the Moldovan side has already prepared the technical papers for the project, has selected the pipeline's route and has initiated land procurement procedures. “Works on the pipeline should start as soon as feasible, as we consider this project very important”, said Filat. The 43.2 kilometers long Ungheni-Iasi pipeline will have a capacity of 1.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year and will be installed at a cost of 19.2 million euros.