November 2019, Vol. 246, No. 11
Projects
TurkStream 2nd String to Cross Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary
The second leg of the TurkStream gas pipeline is planned to go through Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said, as Moscow prepares to phase out gas transit to Europe via Ukraine.
In 2006 and 2009, Russia temporarily halted its gas transit via Ukraine, alleging that Kiev was “siphoning” gas meant for Europe. Ukraine denied any wrongdoing. Since then, state-controlled Gazprom has sought to bypass the country.
Four sources familiar with Moscow’s position told Reuters that Russia wants to strike a short-term deal with Kiev on gas transit to Europe in order to buy time to complete pipelines that will bypass Ukraine.
Construction of the twin, 32-inch TurkStream pipeline began in May 2017. Each of the twin subsea pipelines, which cross the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey, has an annual throughput capacity of 15.75 Bcm.
The first string is intended for Turkish consumers, while the second string was built to deliver gas to Europe.
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