Due to be re-launched after maintenance in May, the Blue Stream pipeline remains idle. Russian gas delivered to Turkey via the pipeline. To replace supplies from Gazprom, Turkey is increasing purchases of LNG. Beset by the numbers of issues, relations between Russia and Turkey have been patchy for the past years.
Maintenance on Blue Stream would be carried out from May 13-29, Turkish energy company Botas said in May. However, two Russian energy sources and a Turkish gas source said the pipeline’s re-launch has no clear date.
Launched in early 2000s, the Blue Stream pipeline last year moved 11.1 bcm of gas to Turkey out of a total 15.5 bcm exported. Turkey reduces imports of Russian pipeline gas. The country plans to buy at least one third of its needs this year in the form of LNG. In March last year, Russia was Turkey’s top gas supplier. It now ranks as the fourth-biggest supplier as its sales dropped as much as 72 percent.
