Turkstream pipeline installation completed ahead of schedule
Allseas’ giant pipelayer vessel Pioneering Spirit has completed the installation of the second line of the Turkish Stream (TurkStream) pipeline in the Black Sea between Russia and Turkey.
“The construction of the Turkish Stream, a new gas pipeline connecting Russia and Turkey through the Black Sea, is entering its final stage. The works are going ahead of schedule. Today, and not in December, as planned earlier, the laying of the offshore section of the gas pipeline was completed.”
Gazprom’s Alexei Miller said the pipeline would be commissioned next year, boosting Turkey’s energy security and the energy security of the countries in the Southern and South-eastern Europe.
TurkStream pipeline starts on the Russian coast near the town of Anapa, runs over 930 kilometres through the Black Sea, and comes ashore in the Thrace region of Turkey. Once fully completed, the project will consist of two offshore pipelines, both with a capacity to transport up to 15.75 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas per year (31.5 BCM in total).
The first line of the pipeline was completed earlier this year, using the same vessel – the Pioneering Spirit – which can be modified to carry out pipeline installation, offshore construction or offshore decommissioning work, depending on the scope of work.
Pioneering Spirit is the world’s largest construction vessel being 477 metres long and 124 metres wide.
Gas transported via the first pipeline is destined for the Turkish market.
The other pipeline, completed on the 19th November, will be directed towards the Turkish-European border. First gas is expected to flow through Turkstream in December 2019.
Source: Offshore Energy Today