Gazprom, the Russian state-run energy giant, has announced a significant increase in gas supplies to Slovakia starting in April.
This increase will be facilitated through the TurkStream pipeline, which bypasses Ukraine by transporting Russian gas to Europe via Türkiye.
The announcement was made by Vojtech Ferencz, CEO of Slovak gas importer SPP, on Monday, according to media reports.
This development highlights the strategic importance of the TurkStream pipeline for Russia’s gas exports to Europe and Slovakia’s energy security.
TurkStream Pipeline’s role
Gazprom resumed its gas supply to Slovakia in early February.
This was made possible by utilising the volumes that Hungary relinquished on the TurkStream pipeline, as confirmed by SPP (the Slovak gas transmission system operator) last month.
The initial volumes of gas supplied were expected to double starting in April, although specific figures regarding the increase were not disclosed.
On Monday, Ferencz addressed reporters and announced a significant increase in shipping volumes.
This increase, he stated, would be several times the volume shipped in the preceding two months, utilising the newly available capacity from the TurkStream pipeline.
This update revised the previous estimate, which had suggested only a doubling of shipping volumes.
SPP trade director Michal Lalik told the Daily Sabah, a Turkish newspaper:
We will not have a problem with supply, we will not have a problem filing storage.
The TurkStream pipeline, a significant energy infrastructure project, stretches for 930 kilometers (580 miles) beneath the Black Sea.
It originates from the Russian resort city of Anapa and reaches Kıyıköy in northwestern Turkey.
This underwater section of the pipeline is a remarkable feat of engineering, enabling the efficient transportation of natural gas across the Black Sea.
Upon reaching Kıyıköy, the TurkStream pipeline connects to a network of overground pipelines.
These pipelines traverse the Balkan region, extending upwards towards Western Europe.
Impact of Ukraine transit halt
This extensive network plays a crucial role in supplying natural gas to various European countries, contributing to their energy needs and economic development.
The TurkStream pipeline represents a strategic collaboration between Russia and Turkey, facilitating the transportation of natural gas to Turkey and Europe.
The pipeline has become even more crucial after Ukraine had refused to renew a deal with Russia.
The deal was responsible for transmitting Russian gas to Europe through Ukrainian pipelines.
The TurkStream pipeline has a yearly capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters.
European countries receive 15.75 billion cubic meters, and the remaining 15.75 billion cubic meters are designated for Türkiye’s domestic market.
Slovakia had relied on gas supplies from Hungary, which primarily receives Russian gas via TurkStream, as transit through Ukraine ceased at the end of 2024 when Kyiv refused to renew its agreement with Moscow.
EU’s shift away from Russian gas
Slovakia and Hungary have asked for the Ukraine transit to restart, and the former has said it will veto European Union aid for Kyiv if Ukraine doesn’t change its position.
Following Ukraine’s refusal to renew the transit deal, Russia’s remaining pipeline gas supply routes to Europe are the TurkStream and Blue Stream.
Since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, the 27-member EU has been decreasing its reliance on Russian gas.
This has resulted in a decline in pipeline imports. However, several European countries have increased their purchases of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is transported by sea.
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