European branch of TurkStream pipeline utilization drops to 80% in March from 98% in Feb

MOSCOW. April 1 (Interfax) - The utilization rate of the European branch of the TurkStream pipeline, which delivers Russian gas to southern Europe via Turkey, declined to 80% in March 2025 from 98% in February, according to data from European gas transmission operators.

In March 2025, the pipeline supplied 1.404 billion cubic meters of gas, or 45.3 million cubic meters per day. In January 2025, total throughput reached 1.558 bcm (50.3 million cubic meters per day) with average utilization of 89%, while February saw 1.552 bcm (55.4 million cubic meters per day) at 98% capacity.

On March 31, the pipeline delivered 44.5 million cubic meters during gas trading day.

The current maximum firm technical capacity of this section stands at 56.7 million cubic meters per day. For instance, on February 18, the pipeline achieved 100% utilization of this capacity.

Throughput in Q1 2025 totaled 4.514 bcm compared to 3.888 bcm in January-March 2024.

In 2024, the Strandzha 2-Malkoclar entry point at the Turkish-Bulgarian border (where TurkStream gas enters the EU) handled 16.674 bcm of gas, up from 13.661 bcm in 2023.

Since early February, TurkStream's capacity has also been used to supply Russian gas (via Hungary) to Slovakia, which lost access to Russian gas after Kiev refused to extend its transit contract with Gazprom . Bratislava expects increased Russian gas supplies starting in April.

TurkStream is an export pipeline running from Russia to Turkey under the Black Sea. With a design capacity of 31.5 bcm per year, it supplies gas to Turkey and South/Southeast European countries via Turkish territory. The twin-line pipeline can deliver up to 15.75 bcm per year per line. Following Ukraine's refusal to extend Russian gas transit agreements, it remains the only route for Russian pipeline gas deliveries to Europe.