The South Stream gas pipeline. The Transnational Gas Pipeline Project

The first of December 2014 will be remembered by the world for a long time. It was the day of the explosion of one of the most powerful information bombs. Do not you remember what happened then? It was officially announced that the South Stream Gas Pipeline project was closed. Dot. Many people did not expect such a turn. After all, he promised so many benefits to residents and businessmen of southern Europe. However, the decision was made. Let's understand what was good about the project and why it remained in the past.

"Do you remember how it all began?"

A good line from the song, but then does not coincide with our history. It was not the first time. By the time the South Stream gas pipeline was conceived, similar projects had already been successfully implemented. Even in Soviet times, a pipe was stretched over which blue fuel went to Europe. Everything would be fine, but the country collapsed, the gas pipeline was on the territory of various sovereign states. Unfortunately for Ukraine, it passed through its territory. What's wrong with that, ask? Yes this pipe does not give much peace. There are a lot of money from her, that's why potential "recipients" can not figure out which of them is more important. However, this does not apply to our review. The fact remains that it was necessary to change the transit route to save the fraternal people from the negative influence of the old. To this end, the Nord Stream was built. He lightly unloaded the Ukrainian pipe. Only it provides gas only to the countries of Northern Europe. Other buyers of blue fuel, real and potential, remained "captives" of the Ukrainian pipe. That's where the idea arose to build the South Stream gas pipeline. On the one hand, it was necessary to really get rid of an unreliable transporter, on the other hand, the communications themselves required updating. The period of their operation was already considerable. The transitory about the security of the property was not particularly worried. And any mechanism during operation wears out, even a "pipe", which is, in fact, a complex production complex. In general, everything was one to one.

Project

The South Stream gas pipeline was originally supposed to pass through the territory of five states, providing them with highly environmentally friendly fuel. In this case, no one disputed the prospects of this project. The countries of the South Stream are: Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia, Slovenia, Italy. Then Austria and Greece joined the project. It was obvious to everyone how profitable these countries are. Construction started on December 7, 2012. The plans were to finish it in 2015. There were many works. Such interstate projects are formalized by corresponding agreements, special structures are organized for them. The cost of construction is also not small. So, according to calculations, Gazprom was supposed to invest 2.6 billion dollars into it. But this figure has increased to 4.66 billion dollars. The European pipes and communications were estimated at an astronomical sum of 16.6 billion. However, the work began to boil. The corresponding enterprises were created, funds were allocated, and approvals were made.

Scheme of the South Stream gas pipeline

It should be noted that such a meaningful project can not go smoothly. He is subjected to a comprehensive analysis, adjustment, so to speak, on the ground. Schematically, its last (refusal) version is shown in the figure. Apparently, it was to cover a large number of countries in Southern Europe, leaving in the future other states the opportunity to join the project. And most importantly, the South Stream pipeline is a gas pipeline (the map in the picture), which bypasses the unreliable partner, which Ukraine has become. Part of the pipe had to pass along the bottom of the Black Sea. At the same time, its length would be about nine hundred kilometers. It was planned that the pipe will pass through the economic zones not only of Russia and Bulgaria, but also of Turkey, which, incidentally, did not particularly like this project. It had and now has its own "gas interests". Nevertheless, Turkey gave permission for the project "South Stream Gas Pipeline". Bulgaria was the next point of the route. It was planned that the pipe would come out on its banks near the city of Varna. At this point, the South Stream gas pipeline, the map of which turned out to be not so much economic as political, ran into obstacles. But about this below.

The Russian part of the project

In order for Southern Europe to receive blue fuel, it was necessary to build two and a half thousand kilometers of the gas pipeline to the compressor station "Russkaya". It is located near the city of Anapa. "South Stream" from here was supposed to lie on the seabed. "Russian" is considered the most powerful compressor station. It will pump 63 billion cubic meters of gas per year. According to the calculated data, this is about ten percent of Europe's needs. Before the Bulgarian coast, the Gazprom pipeline was to be laid independently. Further construction continued joint companies, in which he had fifty percent of shares. Land work was carried out. But laying pipes on the bottom of the sea slowed down due to procrastination with the formulation of appropriate permits. Bulgaria "South Stream", on the one hand, welcomed, on the other - could not go against the European Commission, which has an alternative opinion. Nevertheless, Gazprom continued construction. The first welding work at the junctions of the blue artery was held in a solemn atmosphere on December 7, 2012. As noted by the General Director of the company implementing the project in this area, I. Tkachenko: "South Stream" (gas pipeline) Anapa welcomes. It provides prospects for development not only to European countries, but also to the Krasnodar Territory ".

Europe and South Stream

The gas pipeline, whose map impressed even people who know little about the economy, was naturally appreciated by EU leaders. Italians were the first to join the work. Their concern Eni together with Gazprom began to design a vital pipe for Europe. The framework memorandum was signed back in 2007. From that moment a huge negotiation work began. In the following year, 2008, Bulgaria joined the project. "South Stream" provided it with excellent chances for budget optimization. The profit, which the country eventually lost, is estimated at $ 400 billion. In the same year, Serbia stated that it also needed gas. "South Stream" decided to conduct and on its territory. The country signed an agreement with Gazprom on the fact that half of the pipe remains for our company. Similar agreements were reached with other countries (in 2009 - with Slovenia, in 2010 - with Croatia). Then Austria and France joined in the work. The latter decided to invest in the construction of the South Stream gas pipeline. The project included the largest energy company, Électricité de France. In the same year, the construction plan was signed by Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria. "South Stream", according to the idea, was to make it the main transit country. This was the main hitch, which for several years was used by those who did not like the project.

The first trouble

The beginning of a somewhat irrational confrontation was laid in 2011. The European Commissioner for Energy in the open text warned Ukraine that after the creation and commissioning of the South Stream this country will remain out of work. Its pipe will no longer be used for transit. Ettinger advised the Ukrainian authorities "to dissuade Russia from implementing this project." Despite such circumstances, the route of the South Stream gas pipeline passed appropriate approvals. After declaring intentions, the countries that were previously included in the project began to conclude agreements with Gazprom on the supply of blue fuel. Although Russia had to press on European countries. D. Medvedev, then the president of Russia, held talks with his Turkish counterpart. As a result, he expressed the idea that the project can be changed. Even then, the idea arose that it would be possible to redirect the flow to Turkey, which is not a member of the European Union.

Third power pack

Another obstacle to the work was the EU legislation. The fact is that the energy market in the Union is quite "fragmented". The price bracket is established by direct negotiations between the supplier and the consumer. This leads to disagreement in the market. The EU adopted a number of laws, known as the "third energy package", designed to liberalize the situation with energy trade. They were provided for the separation of suppliers and transit countries. That is, Gazprom, according to these documents, had no right to build a pipe, fifty percent of its value belonged to him. The package was adopted in 2009. However, this happened after the signing of the first agreement on the development of the South Stream. Here there was a certain legal incident. On the one hand, this project did not fall under the action of the third energy package, on the other - the European Commission did not allow it to begin, in view of the fact that it violated the rules it adopted.

We build, and you - as you like

Nevertheless, Russia did not abandon the profitable project. All planned works were carried out on its territory in order to put into operation the South Stream in time. The gas pipeline Anapa, for example, met joyously. Not only that near the city was erected a serious enterprise creating new jobs, so also the surrounding settlements had to be provided with blue fuel. In the province, a corresponding gasification project has been developed. Some changes in the plans began to be planned in 2014. After the reunification of the Crimea with the Russian gas specialists began to estimate how this event could affect their project. The fact is that the deep-water gasket (about two kilometers) is an expensive matter. If you conduct a pipe on the Crimean territory, then it will lie in the sea in smaller parts. This could significantly reduce the cost of the project. This became very relevant due to the imposition of sanctions against Russia.

Everything ended in Bulgaria

In itself, the work on creating such a significant project is complex and filled with all sorts of subtleties and nuances. It is necessary to agree a lot of questions with the governments of the participating countries, get permits, find money, and so on. All this was done by Gazprom. Only before the construction began it was necessary to obtain permits from the countries, which became increasingly difficult in the conditions of the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis. But Austria and other countries "with a scratch" signed all the necessary papers. Stopped the South Stream gas pipeline Bulgaria. After long negotiations and coordination the country did not give its permission for construction. The refusal was also motivated by the same third energy package. The President of Bulgaria was in a difficult situation. The country, as a member of the European Union, must obey its laws and management requirements. On the other hand - the benefits were initially obvious to everyone. Bulgaria made its choice, refusing to transit profits. The documents, which meant her consent to start construction, she never signed. This uneventful event served as the basis for the Russian president's decision, which reversed the course of events. It caused a wide resonance and a headache for the big ranks from the European Commission and not only.

Closing of the project. What's next?

So it was December 1st, 2014. During the visit to Turkey, the Russian president, together with his counterpart from the host country, made a statement. Europe was faced with a fact. The project is closed. No persuasion did not affect the Russian Federation. Return to the "South Stream" will not. But what about those who did not oppose its construction, who worked together with Gazprom all these years? V. Putin announced that all 63 billion cubic meters of blue fuel will be delivered to Turkey. Partly it will be consumed. For those who wish to buy Russian gas, a hub will be built on the border of Turkey and Greece. Only now the erection of transport communications should become a headache for the consumer. That is, Russia agrees with the third energy package. And where Europeans take money for such expensive construction, this is their own business. Thus, in the future Turkey will become the main transit country supplying blue fuel to the EU. The matter is that the Nabucco gas pipeline is planned to be built across the country. This project, created under the auspices of the United States, was an alternative to the "South Stream". After all the disputes and negotiations, thanks to the intransigence of the European Commission, part of the southern countries of the Union remained not only without gas, but also with vague prospects of receiving it in the near future. All work was in vain. Now we should start the negotiation process on a new one. And here, too, the elections in Greece arrived, as it is impossible, on time. In January 2015, the political union SYRIZA won there, declaring the country's withdrawal from the EU. If it completes its intention to the point, the situation of the southern European countries will become even more complicated.

Nevertheless, the project "South Stream Gas Pipeline" is closed. Now all negotiations are conducted with a different transit - the buyer. There was a new project. They decided to call it "Turkish stream". What future awaits him?