TurkStream offshore pipelay nears midway point

Allseas’ Pioneering Spirit is making good progress with laying of the first string of the TurkStream gas pipeline in the Black Sea, according to operator Gazprom.

The vessel recently passed the ‘KP660’ point close to the border of the Bulgarian Exclusive Economic Zone.

It is currently proceeding along the section of the TurkStream route toward the Kiyikoy settlement, in accordance with permits granted by Turkey.

By mid-February, 884 kilometres (549 miles) of pipes had been laid for both strings of the pipeline system, accounting for roughly 48% of the offshore section.

TurkStream, due to come onstream by the end of 2019, will comprise two parallel gas pipelines stretching 930 kilometres (578 miles) from Russia across the Black Sea, each with a diameter of 81 centimetres (32 inches) and annual throughput capacity of 15.75 bcm.

This will be the first pipeline of its size to be installed at a water depth of up to 2,200 metres (7,218 feet), Gazprom added.

One of the pipelines will be dedicated to the Turkish market, while the other will provide gas to countries in southern and south-east Europe.

Gazprom subsidiary South Stream Transport is responsible for the offshore construction.

Source: Offshore