Georgian Energy Minister Alexander Khetaguri and White Stream Pipeline Company Limited Chairman Roberto Pirani signed a cooperation memorandum on April 3 for the planned White Stream pipeline under the Black Sea to Europe. Involvement in project will secure a stable gas supply to Georgia and increase its role as a transit country, Khetaguri said. A feasibility study of the pipeline is under way and is due to be completed in 12-18 months. Private investment will be in the gas pipeline project, Pirani said at a news conference. “The cooperation for the formation of a South gas corridor is in the interests of Georgia and the EU. Through the corridor natural gas will be transported from the Caspian region to European states. The project calls for the diversification of gas supply routes and sources, which is in line with the EU policy. Moreover, the project calls for the quick and efficient development of natural gas resources in the Caspian region, which along with other energy projects, will contribute to the implementation of the Nabucco project,” Khetaguri was quoted by the press as saying. White Stream would bring gas from the Caspian region along a complex route under the Black Sea, through Georgia, Romania and others and on to markets in Europe. The initial capacity is estimated at 282.5 billion cubic feet per year, though later connections could more than triple that volume.