Bartimpex hopes to build new gas pipeline by 2006

"The aim is to complete it by the end of 2005," Gudzowaty said, adding that Polish Oil and Gas (PGNiG) has already confirmed its interest in the purchase of gas from this source during the first four years of the pipelines operation. The President of Bartimpex, an intermediary in the trade of Russian gas, did not want to reveal the value of the potential investment, but it was earlier estimated that the pipeline would have an annual capacity of carrying 2.5 billion of cubic meters of gas. Gudzowaty also told journalists that his company's last year losses amounted to zł. 8 million due to a failure to execute an agreement with Russia's Gazprom, concerning the exchange of gas for food. (Puls Biznesu, p. 7) A.K.