Is the Turkish stream dead? History and modernity

"Turkish flow" is the working title of the gas pipeline project from the Russian Federation to Turkey through the Black Sea. The first time about its construction was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 1, 2014, during a state visit to Ankara. This project appeared instead of the previously canceled "South Stream". The official name for the new gas pipeline has not yet been selected.

History

The first gas transportation project between the Russian Federation and Turkey was called "Blue Stream" and was officially approved in 2005. Later, the parties came to an agreement on its expansion. The new project was named "South Stream". In 2009, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed to lay another line of the gas pipeline, built in parallel in 2005. It was to connect Samsun and Ceyhan, and then cross Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Cyprus.

The failure of the South Stream

In December 2014, Vladimir Putin said that Russia is abandoning the old project because of the unconstructive position of the European Union. This was due primarily to the position of Bulgaria. Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller confirmed on the same day that there will be no return to the South Stream. Some experts said that the rejection of the project is primarily due to a drop in prices for hydrocarbons in the world market. However, two months later, Alexey Borisovich met with the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of Turkey. During Miller's visit to Ankara, the Turkish Stream project was formed.

A new type of interaction

"Turkish flow" is a gas pipeline, which should start at the Russian compressor station. It is located near the resort city of Anapa. In February 2015, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller and Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yildaiz announced that the final destination would be the city of Kyykyo in the northwestern province of Kırklareli. Two pipelayer ships were sent to the Black Sea. However, negotiations between the two countries have not been completed.

"Turkish stream": route

The length of the new gas pipeline was to leave 910 kilometers. He had to use the South Stream infrastructure. This is about 660 kilometers. The rest was to pass through the European part of Turkey. In February 2015, Miller and Yildiz determined a new route. "Turkish flow" is a gas pipeline that was supposed to connect the Russian Anapa and the Turkish Kyykyoy. During the meeting, representatives of both sides flew all the key points of the route by helicopter. On land, the pipeline was supposed to go out in the city of Kyyköf, Lüleburgaz was to become the gas delivery point, and the hub is on the Turkish-Greek border in Ipsala. A few months later, a declaration on energy cooperation was signed. In addition to Russia and Turkey, its parties were made by such states as Greece, Serbia, Macedonia and Hungary.

Gas pipeline characteristics

"Turkish flow" was conceived as a project to conquer the European market bypassing Ukraine. On the Greek border, it was supposed to create a hub. From it, the gas was to be sent to other European countries. Its planned capacity was 63 billion cubic meters per year. Of these, only 14 were intended for consumption by Turkey. However, from the outset, the European Commission said that the supply exceeds demand. According to the Russian side, the Turkish flow is needed to diversify gas supplies to Europe. Its construction is conditioned by the unreliability of such transit countries as Ukraine.

Gas Strategy of the Russian Federation

Diversification of resources is an important component of any competent strategy. It is important for the European Union to have several gas suppliers. Initially, the "South Stream" was built precisely in terms of stabilizing the situation in Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. Demand for fuel continues to grow, by 2030 it is expected to increase by almost a third. "Turkish flow", the capacity of which exceeds today's demand, was built by Russia precisely on the basis of this. Thus, the gas strategy of the Russian Federation includes the following three items:

• Protecting your own sales markets and reducing transit risks due to the unreliability of third parties.
• Search for new consumers in Europe.
• Blocking the efforts of competitors.

The implementation of such a project as the "Turkish Stream" means for Russia the strengthening of its positions in the world. However, in strengthening the interaction between the two countries there can be both pluses and minuses. The new gas pipeline could turn Turkey into a powerful transit player. And she can take advantage of the opportunities she has gained in her own interests. The task of Russia is to find a balance in its relations with Turkey.

Current problems

In 2014, the Russian government announced the need to build a gas pipeline "Kuban-Crimea". This should help in the energy supply of the peninsula. In November 2015 the construction of the Turkish Stream was officially suspended. This is due to the destruction of the Russian military aircraft Su-24 in Syria. The Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation stated that the Turkish Stream and a number of other investment and trade agreements will be canceled in connection with the actions of the air force of the former partner state. It is too early to talk about the possibility of resuming construction, because experts are still analyzing the situation. Advantages for both sides outweigh the shortcomings, so it is likely that the parties will be able to agree in the future.