- Nabucco starts prequalification tender for long lead items including line pipes, valves and bends
- Overall value of prequalification package Euro 3.5 Billion
- Construction to commence end of 2011


This week Nabucco Gas Pipeline International launched the pre-qualification process as a starting phase for the procurement of long lead items needed for the pipeline construction. The value of the entire package is around Euro 3.5 Billion and the deadline for companies to participate in the prequalification is 17th May. “Long lead items - like pipes and valves - are the cornerstone for pipeline construction, and account for a considerable part of the overall investment costs.

The prequalification process will identify the most eligible companies and is the basis for a successful procurement proc-ess,” Nabucco Managing Director Reinhard Mitschek stated.
The prequalification process will provide the Nabucco consortium with the opportunity to thoroughly assess the supplier market on a worldwide basis. Interest by potential suppliers has been extensive from the outset. After the prequalification process is completed, Nabucco intends to launch the respective tender. “The prequalification for long lead items is a substantial step towards starting construction at the end of 2011”, said Mitschek.

The long lead items required in this package include line pipes, valves and bends, which need to be ordered in advance to meet the construction schedule. The materials specifica-tion has been prepared by engineering companies in accordance with internationally rec-ognized standards, and the technical prequalification process of the respective procure-ment is to be preformed by an independent third party. On another note, the selection of the route corridor has been recently completed for the first phase of the project and the right of way and permission process for the environmental and social assessment and construction permit in the Nabucco countries is currently in progress.