Gazprom and Turkey look into possible pipeline capacity increase

Ankara hosted a working meeting on the 21 April between Alexander Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Taner Yildiz, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey.

The meeting participants addressed the co-operation deepening between Gazprom and Turkey in the gas sector. In particular, they considered the possibility of increasing the capacity of the Blue Stream gas pipeline from 16 to 19 billion m³ of gas a year. The parties agreed to examine this issue in detail. It was pointed out that the increase in capacity would not require laying additional strings of Blue Stream.

Blue Stream conveys over 50% of all the Russian natural gas purchased by the Republic of Turkey. While securing uninterrupted gas supplies to Turkish consumers, the gas pipeline is also crucially important when additional gas volumes are urgently needed to replenish gas deficiency in case of emergency.

The meeting also addressed the South Stream gas pipeline. It was noted that the project was progressing following the approved route. The gas pipeline will considerably increase the reliability of gas supply to Europe.

Adapted from press release by Hannah Priestley-Eaton

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/23042014/gazprom_and_turkey_look_into_possible_pipeline_capacity_increase/