TurkStream gas pipeline laying in deep water commenced

Russian Gazprom announced that it started laying the TurkStream gas pipeline in the deep-water area off the coast of Anapa. TurkStream is the project for a transit-free export gas pipeline stretching across the Black Sea from Russia to Turkey. Each of the two strings of the gas pipeline will have a throughput capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

The deep-water section of the TurkStream gas pipeline will be built by “Pioneering Spirit”, the world’s largest construction vessel, Gazprom Chairman of the Management Committee, Alexey Miller, informed. With TurkStream, Russia aims to enhance gas supplies to Turkey and further to southern and southeastern Europe.

“For Turkey natural gas is the key energy source accounting for 38 per cent in the country’s electricity generation and used for heating and cooking in upward of 12 million households. TurkStream will substantially increase energy security in the region”, said Mr Miller.

Mr Miller also noted that natural gas is of equal importance to southern and southeastern Europe.

“The declining indigenous gas production and the necessity to reduce coal’s share in electricity generation across the Balkan countries create the potential for sustainable growth in natural gas demand in that part of Europe.”