Gazprom has begun to fill the first string of Turkish Stream with gas. This is stated in a press release on the official website of the project. It is noted that this is the final stage of testing before delivery.

“Filling the gas pipeline system with gas is a significant step towards the start of actual gas supplies to Turkey and Southeast Europe through the new system of offshore gas pipelines. The commercial operation of the gas pipeline according to the schedule should begin before the end of 2019, ”it was informed.

Natural gas from the unified gas supply system of Gazprom is pumped into the Turkish Stream at the Russkaya station, which is located on the Black Sea coast in the Anapa region. The reception terminal is located near the small Turkish city of Kiyıköy.

Filling the pipeline with fuel began after both threads were certified by the Norwegian company DNV GL. Specialists confirmed the compliance of the Turkish Stream technical specifications with international standards.

“The filling of the second string with natural gas will begin after the filling of the first string is completed,” the press release emphasizes.

Meanwhile, construction work at the reception terminal has not yet been completed, but they are already in the final stage.

At the moment, final construction work is still underway at the reception terminal. At the same time, the Turkish company BOTAS is building an onshore gas pipeline that will connect the Turkish Stream and the Turkish gas transportation system.

“The joint venture PJSC Gazprom and BOTAS are currently selling a second, transit, land section for supplying gas to European countries,” the press service said.

To Hungary via Bulgaria and Serbia

Recall, “Turkish Stream” is a gas pipeline laid along the bottom of the Black Sea to the European part of Turkey. At the same time, it is planned that deliveries will be made not only to Turkish consumers, but also to the countries of Southeast Europe.

The total capacity of both pipelines is 31.5 billion cubic meters per year.

Russia is negotiating with a number of European states on the subject of supplies and transit of gas supplied through the Turkish Stream. It is assumed that fuel will be delivered from Turkey to Bulgaria, from there to Serbia, and then to Hungary.

According to the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov, Moscow expects that Bulgaria will be ready to accept the first deliveries by January 1, 2020.

“With regard to the construction of the gas pipeline to Serbia: today we discussed the prospects for the implementation of this project, we are counting on the timelines that the Bulgarian side has designated to ensure completion of the gas pipeline by January 1 and launch the gas that goes through the Turkish Stream,” he said.

Construction on the Serbian site is also coming to an end. According to the ambassador of the republic to Russia, Miroslav Lazanski, the work is proceeding in accordance with the schedule.

“Regarding pipelines, construction is being completed, its completion is expected before the end of the year ... The pipelines are partially installed, starting from the Bulgarian border, everything is in order, the process is underway,” he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Lazanski also stressed that Russian gas supplies to Serbia are of strategic importance.

“Serbian industry mainly works on Russian gas. Of course, gas pipelines passing through Ukraine - this issue has not yet been determined. That is why we are forced to rely on gas pipelines passing through Turkey and Bulgaria, that is, on the Turkish Stream. This is our main focus. For us, Russian gas is a strategic issue, ”the diplomat explained.

In turn, Hungary expects that the supply of Russian gas to the country will start in the second half of 2021.

“In our case, the more pipelines, the better. New supply routes are very important for us, which is why we are cooperating with our Bulgarian and Serbian colleagues. We have already met several times to agree on a work schedule. As of today, it turns out that approximately in the second half of 2021 we have every chance to start receiving gas through the new supply channel, ”said Foreign Minister Peter Siyyarto.

According to him, Budapest is forced to look for alternative supply routes due to the uncertainty with transit through Ukraine.

Transit through Ukraine

Recall that the contract for gas transit through Ukraine expires at the end of 2019. At the same time, the parties have not yet been able to agree on the conditions for continued supplies. Now this issue is being discussed in the framework of trilateral negotiations between Russia, Ukraine and the European Union. In addition, litigation continues between Gazprom and Naftogaz.

At the same time, Ukraine is trying to introduce European energy legislation. At a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Gazprom head Alexei Miller emphasized that Kiev still has a lot to do in order to implement European standards. In his opinion, in the current conditions it is worth extending the current contract.

“To date, the completion of this process is still quite far. And in the event that an independent regulator and an independent gas transportation operator are not created in Ukraine by January 1, 2020, the only way is to extend the existing contract in new market conditions that have been updated to date, ”he said.

Miller also noted that Gazprom was proposing to Naftogaz to mutually abandon all claims.