Gazprom’s press service reported that gas deliveries through Turkish Stream are paused for routine maintenance on the gas pipeline. The shutdown is scheduled to run from June 21 to June 28, 2022. The company noted that gas transport along both lines will be temporarily halted during this preventive maintenance period.
In a statement published on Telegram, Gazprom emphasized that the suspension of gas transportation was agreed upon by all stakeholders involved in the project.
Turkish Stream comprises two parallel lines: one channeling natural gas to Turkish consumers and the other supplying Southern and Southeastern European markets. The pipeline began commercial operation in January 2020.
The total capacity of Turkish Stream is 31.5 billion cubic meters per year. Last year, deliveries to Turkey grew by 63 percent, underscoring the evolving energy relationship between the two nations. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking in May, reiterated that Ankara cannot forgo Russian gas supplies, which account for roughly half of Turkey’s imported fuel. He framed the situation as a strategic moment for sustained energy cooperation, noting that a complete disruption is not a viable option. Erdogan also highlighted that Turkey and Russia are jointly pursuing the Akkuyu nuclear power plant project, which is scheduled to be completed and brought online next year.
Nord Stream
Earlier in the week, Gazprom announced a cut in gas output through Nord Stream by about 40 percent. The company attributed the reduction to issues at the Portovaya compressor station, where Siemens had not returned repaired gas turbine units on schedule, and certain engine malfunctions were identified. Shortly after, Gazprom halted the operation of another Siemens turbine due to the expiry of its overhaul period.
Siemens Energy stated that one Nord Stream gas turbine could not be returned to Germany because of sanctions affecting Russia. The German Federal Network Agency noted that it could not confirm a causal link between the missing compressor on the Russian side and the sizable drop in supply. Major European energy players such as Austria’s OMV, Italy’s Eni, and Germany’s Uniper informed partners of the supply cuts. Italian authorities signaled intentions to raise concerns over the impact of reduced gas deliveries.
Stockpiling for Winter
Bloomberg reports that Europe has begun drawing on gas reserves to prepare for winter as Russian supplies tighten. Gas storage facilities across the region were about 52 percent full, according to the latest data from Gas Infrastructure Europe. While reserves have dipped slightly, injections typically occur in the summer months and are stored for the peak winter period.
European gas prices rose rapidly, with quotes surpassing 1,500 dollars per thousand cubic meters on June 16, a level not seen since early spring. Amid this backdrop, Gazprom chief executive Alexey Miller noted at SPIEF-2022 that both lines of Nord Stream 2 are under pressure. He indicated that gas could be directed to Germany via Nord Stream 2 if certification and market conditions permit, reflecting the tension between large-scale investment in energy projects and the regulatory steps required to bring them online. Miller stressed that while significant sums were invested in Nord Stream 2, two lines faced pressure and moving gas to Germany could be possible if market access and certification align, a reminder of the delicate balance between investment risk and strategic energy supply.