Perth-based consulting firm Sustainability and Brisbane-based sub-consultant OSD have been contracted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to work on a major gas pipeline in Eastern Europe.
Perth-based consulting firm Sustainability and Brisbane-based sub-consultant OSD have been contracted by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to work on a major gas pipeline in Eastern Europe.
The two firms will act as the bank’s technical, environmental and social consultant (TESC) for the Bulgaria-Romania-Hungary-Austria (BRUA) gas pipeline.
Sustainability’s services will extend from the loan agreement through to commissioning and operation of the new gas transmission system, scheduled to run through to the end of 2020.
Sustainability will examine all aspects of the project and confirm that the pipeline and facilities are being delivered in accordance with international standards.
It will ensure Romania's state-owned construction contractor and operator, Transgaz, works in keeping with the principles and practices under the loan agreement.
Sustainability will be assisted by OSD, which is a specialist pipeline engineering firm and will conduct the engineering and procurement components of the contract.
The new contract builds on a long association between Sustainability and the EBRD, including multiple projects in Mongolia.
Sustainability and OSD will have a core team of 10 working on the project.
The project team consists of technical pipeline engineers, project engineers, procurement specialists, and social, safety, environmental and biodiversity experts.
It will be led by Sustainability from its Perth head office and supported by experts in Brisbane, Germany and Romania.
Sustainability director Heath Thorpe said the firm was committed to leveraging its differentiated environmental consultation services and long track record with the EBRD.
“Our experience in supporting the sustainable development of resource facilities spans the world and will help to ensure the BRUA project is delivered on time and in line with EBRD lender requirements,” he said.
OSD executive director Keith Horstmann said his firm was delighted to team with Sustainability to deliver this assignment.
“The technical component of the work complements our track record of supporting lenders, investors and developers of pipeline infrastructure across the globe," he said.
On completion, the BRUA pipeline will carry 1.75 billion cubic metres of gas from Bulgaria and Romania to Austria towards the end of 2019 and 4.4 billion cubic metres of natural gas from 2022 onwards.