Concerns Raised Over Vasilikos Gas Terminal Project

The appointment of French company Technip as Project Manager for the Vasilikos gas terminal project last May appears to be revealing significant problems. According to reports, the company's two-month involvement with the project has highlighted serious deficiencies and inconsistencies in the work previously carried out by CPP.

Technip, after evaluating the work and contracts, has reportedly concluded that significant changes are needed for the project to proceed. In particular, the company expressed doubts about the adequacy of the existing design (FEED) and the suitability of the materials and equipment purchased, due to deficiencies in the necessary safety certifications.

These developments put the completion time of the terminal on the back burner, with priority now being given to addressing the chaos Technip inherited. If Technip receives the green light to restructure the project and attract serious companies to complete it, there may be hope for a happy ending, albeit with additional cost and time.

Problems of adequate staffing and effective organization also remain. DEFA (the organization to which ETYFA belongs) does not even have a general manager, and the relations of the ministry's representative in the two organizations are said to be not the most constructive with their staff.