Turkish Stream loses export license due to EU sanctions

MOSCOW, 29 Sep — PRIME. New EU sanctions on September 18 led to the early revocation of the export license from the Turkish Stream operator, but do not limit the continuation of gas transportation, said pipeline operator South Stream Transport BV

The company notes that throughout 2022, the European Union periodically imposed additional sanctions aimed at restricting the export of materials, technologies and services by companies in support of Russia’s activities.

“As a result of the introduction of new sanctions, on September 18, 2022, the export license of South Stream Transport BV, the operator of the Turkish Stream offshore gas pipeline, through which Russian gas is transported through the Black Sea to consumers in Turkey and European countries, was prematurely revoked,” the report says. operator.

At the same time, the company added that “the introduction of new sanctions does not limit the continuation of gas transportation by South Stream Transport BV.”

In this regard, the gas supply of various industries and millions of households in Turkey and European countries will not be affected in the short and long term, the operator emphasizes.

South Stream Transport BV also stated that it has applied for the renewal of the export license and is awaiting a response from the Dutch authorities. The company notes that it has all the legal grounds under the current sanctions regulation of the European Union 833/2014 to receive an exception (Article 3, paragraph 3a). The gas pipeline operator explains this by the fact that the gas that is transported through the Turkish Stream is then supplied to European countries through national gas transmission systems, and thus participates in ensuring Europe’s energy security.

In addition, EU sanctions have banned the supply of goods and services to serve the Turkish Stream in Russia, said South Stream Transport BV, the gas pipeline operator.

“The authorities of the Netherlands sent an official notification about this with reference to the prohibitions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of article 3 of Regulation (EU) 833/2014 (as amended, including new sanctions restrictions). According to these paragraphs, the supply of goods and the provision of services, in particular technical assistance and services for use in Russia, including its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf,” the company said in a statement.

Gazprom supplies gas via the Turkish Stream from Russia through the Black Sea to Turkey and to the countries of Southern and South-Eastern Europe in transit through Turkish territory. The design capacity of the pipeline is 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.