«Blue Stream" - is the largest across the Black Sea gas pipeline, through which fuel flows from Russia to Turkey.It was built by the Dutch branch of OOO "Gazprom» BVand Italian "Eni" and became operational in 2005.Part of the pipeline on Turkish territory controlled by local energy company BOTAS.The rest of the controlled RF.The main objective of the "Blue Stream" - to diversify delivery routes of Russian gas to Turkey, bypassing third countries.
History
Preparation pipeline project began in 1997.In December, Russia and Turkey signed an intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the coastal channel.At the same time, "Gazprom" has agreed with BOTAS on the twenty-five contract for the supply of fuel.In February 1999, a memorandum was signed between the Russian and the Italian side, and was created by a Dutch subsidiary.
Construction of the "Blue Stream" was carried out in 2001-2002.The sea section was constructed by the Italian company Saipem, and the Russian land - "Stroytransgaz"."Blue Stream" started to work in February 2003.However, because of the conflict between Russia and Turkey over the price of fuel at the official opening ceremony of gas metering station Darusu took only 17 September 2005.It was attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the prime ministers of Turkey and Italy.
Specifications pipeline
«Blue Stream" started to function at full capacity in 2010.Its capacity is 16 billion cubic meters.The total length of the "Blue Stream" - 1213 kilometers.The Russian part begins Izobilnoye gas plant near the Stavropol and ends in the Krasnodar region.The great length falls on Turkey - 444 km.In the pipeline are used with different diameter tubes: the land part - 1400 millimeters, mountain - 12,000 sea - 610. The pressure reaches 25 MPa."Blue Stream" pipeline is considered the deepest in the world.It lies 2.2 kilometers below ground level.
In 2014, Turkey and Russia reached an agreement on raising the capacity of 3 billion cubic meters.Also it audited fuel prices.
Financing and the first difficulty
«Blue Stream» - this is a very ambitious project.His actual development started in 1987, when Turkey started importing fuel from the USSR.Initially, the amount was 0.5 billion cubic meters, today it has grown in 34 times.This building - this is an extremely ambitious project.The problems started even at the first stage, so it was launched late in three years.The total cost of construction of the pipeline was 3.2 billion US dollars.He was paid together Turkish and Russian side.On the construction of the offshore portion was spent 1.7 billion US dollars.
Immediately after the launch of the gas pipeline, the Turkish side stated that it is not ready to take such quantities of fuel.To prevent failure of the project, the Russian Federation has lowered the price and decided to cut supplies.But the debate is not over.In 2004, Vladimir Putin had to intervene and even to reduce the price to the level of the supply route for Bulgarian.
gas pipeline "Blue Stream-2»
new highway project was first proposed in 2002.Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the construction of the second line and the expansion of the existing gas pipeline via the Samsun-level Keyhen and branches in South-Eastern Europe.Development of the project has intensified after the decision of the five countries to begin construction of the "Nabucco".However, it soon became the talk of expanding the project, entitled "South Stream".The new pipeline would connect directly to Bulgaria and Russia.But now it is frozen because of the worsening of relations with Ukraine.
In 2009, Vladimir Putin as prime minister proposed highway which runs parallel to the "Blue Stream" under the Black Sea, and continued on his way from Samsun to Keyhen.From there he could transport gas to Syria, Libya, Israel and Cyprus.To date, this project is only a matter of distant prospects, no updates on his status yet.
Environmental protection
Construction of the "Blue Stream" has been associated with large-scale protests envayrontamentalistov.But they did not have a significant impact on the process, as the official environmental impact assessment showed a slight to her detriment.Construction continued, the launch of the project has shown that the major causes for concern was not.But these estimates remain controversial because all parties are extremely interested in its functioning.Moreover, all examinations were carried out mainly Russia, for which the "Blue Stream" is of strategic importance, especially after the aggravation of its relations with Ukraine and freezing "South Stream".Although in the case of obvious violations of the American side did not hesitate to intervene.
Current state
gas pipeline "Blue Stream" - is a project that should be the basis of strategic cooperation between Russia and Turkey in the energy and transport sectors.The current direction of transit has gone through Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Bulgaria.Overland transportation fuel made it more expensive, there have been numerous complaints about the theft of his states on the territory of which he ran.
But from the beginning of the functioning of the "Blue Stream" project has had difficulties, including in Russia.As demonstrated by tests made by the Accounting Chamber, the Italian company took advantage of its benefits nepolagayuschimisya.This, of course, has caused damage to the state budget.According to experts, only in 2003 it amounted to US $ 1 billion.
Problems and prospects
Russian first principle involves the construction of a gas pipeline under the Black Sea.One of the political objectives set by the scheme of the "Blue Stream", was the need to overcome the competitors to transport gas to Europe.The country for which all the fighting - is Turkey."Blue Stream" is focused on its territory as the next project.Already in November 1999, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia signed an intergovernmental agreement on Trans-Caspian route.After several months on this project has worked leading companies Genaral Electric and Royal Dutch Shell.However, disputes arose between the parties, so construction was halted.
Today, despite criticism from the United States, the "Blue Stream" was of strategic importance, and Europe's dependence on Russian gas is stagnant.
