Putin ratifies deal on Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline project

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved on Feb. 7 a bill on an agreement between Russian and Turkish governments on the construction of the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline, TASS News Agency has reported.

Turkish Stream, announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a 2014 visit to Turkey, will carry gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey’s Thrace region. One line, with 15.75 billion cubic meters (bcm) of capacity, is expected to supply the Turkish market, while a second line is set to carry gas to Europe.        

The agreement on the project entered into force through publication in Turkey’s Official Gazette on Dec. 6, 2016, four days after its ratification in parliament and signing into law by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Russia’s Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, approved the bill on Feb. 1 after the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, ratified the agreement in January while Turkey ratified it late in 2016. 

In the intergovernmental agreement, two pipeline branches are planned, each with a capacity of 15.75 billion cubic meters (bcm).

The first branch will supply gas directly to Turkey, while the second will be used to deliver gas to European countries through Turkey.