The company ICGB AD (ICGB) is in charge of developing, constructing and operating the Interconnector Greece- Bulgaria gas pipeline (IGB). ICGB has applied to the regulatory authorities of Bulgaria (EWRC) and Greece (RAE) for an exemption from certain provisions of EU Directive 2009/73/EC in accordance with art.36 therein.

On December 14^th, 2015 ICGB has launched a Market Test procedure as per “Updated Guidelines for management and allocation of capacity on the IGB INTERCONNECTOR according to paragraph 6 of article 36 of Directive 2009/73/EC” (UPDATED GUIDELINES), jointly issued by  EWRC and RAE.

All Interested Shippers and TSOs are being invited to express interest in using IGB gas transportation services.  The interest of other Transmission System Operators to interconnect their systems with the IGB Pipeline is also being invited. The Market Test is divided into two phases: 1. Expression of Interest Phase (on a non-binding basis); 2. Bidding Phase (on a binding basis).

Participation in the Expression of Interest Phase is a prerequisite for subsequent participation in the Bidding Phase. The Expression of Interest Phase, where interested parties are invited to present non-binding expressions of interest, starts with the publication of the Expression of Interest Notice.

All terms and conditions for participation in the Expression of Interest Phase, and subsequent steps, are contained in the Expression of Interest Notice. The Expression of Interest Phase is being conducted in the English language. Analytical information is provided at the Company’s web site, www.icgb.eu.

The deadline by which Expressions of Interest in the IGB Market Test should be submitted to be considered valid is hereby extended from 29 February 2016 to 31 March 2016.

The extension of the Expressions of Interest deadline is made pursuant to Decision of Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (Bulgaria) No.У-1 dated 26.02.2016 and Decision of Regulatory Authority for Energy (Greece) No. 2/2016 dated 25 February 2016.

With the exception of the Expressions of Interest deadline, all other terms and conditions in the Market Test documentation published hereby remain in force.