Greece and Turkey last year agreed to build the $300-million gas pipeline between them to carry up to 11Bcum/yr, 3Bcum of which will be for Greece itself, and the rest for re-export to Europe. A ministry statement said Turkish pipeline company Botas and Greek gas company DEPA have agreed details of the 36-in diameter link, which will be 285km long. Construction starts in early December, and gas transmission is scheduled to start in 2006 with an initial 750 million cum. Initial studies aimed at extending the pipeline to Italy are under way, the statement added. Greece and Turkey, which relies heavily on gas imports from Russia, are hoping to become energy hubs for southern Europe. They plan to import gas from the Caspian Sea and send it on to Europe, including Italy, from 2006.