The first branch of the Turkish Stream offshore gas pipeline from Russia to the west of Turkey must be launched at the end of 2016, reported Interfax.
Gasprom press office reported that at yesterday’s talks with the Turkish Energy Minister Taner Yildiz Gasprom President Aleksei Miller said: “Very constructive and important talks have taken place today. The agreement has been reached to launch the Turkish Stream gas pipeline and begin gas deliveries in December 2016. In its work schedule in the Turkish Stream project Gasprom will follow the agreements reached today.”
The first branch of the Turkish Stream will supply west of Turkey instead of the Ukrainian transit. The next three branches will replace the Ukrainian transit by the gas deliveries to Central and southern Europe.
Gasprom is ready to begin construction. It was planned to begin South Stream construction, which was replaced by the Turkish Stream, last autumn. The pipe laying fleet of Saipem company hired for the South Stream project is waiting for the permission to begin construction in Burgas port.
However, Turkey has not given permission for the surveying in its waters, let alone construction itself.
