Two local companies only will take part in the construction and exploitation of the Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, the regional ministry announced. Besides the already appointed state natural gas utility Bulgargaz, Technoexportstroy, state company providing engineering and construction services worldwide, will also join the project. The 280km pipeline from the Bulgarian Black Sea port of Burgas to the Greek Aegean Sea of Alexandroupolis is estimated to cost EUR 783mn. Russian firms will control 51% of the pipeline while Bulgarian and Greek firms will hold stakes of 24.5% each. Regional minister Gagauzov stated the government will most likely sell out its stake to a private investor at a later stage. The government has discussed possible divestment with the Kazakh national oil company KazMunaiGaz and the US Shevron so far. The signing of the contract is expected to take place today after being postponed several times. It is rumoured in the local press that Russia has made last-minute changes to the contract that may cause new problems in the trilateral deal.