Netherlands Withdraws License of Turkish Stream Operator

Radio Free Europe has obtained internal documents from South Stream Transport B.V., the Dutch subsidiary of Gazprom responsible for the operation and maintenance of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline. The documents indicate that the pipeline was actually due to cease operations on September 17, which means Hungary and Serbia may effectively be left without gas.

On September 14, South Stream Transport's CEO Oleg Aksyutin sent a letter to the heads of the company's structural divisions instructing them to suspend all contracts related to technical support for the gas pipeline. Gas transportation is to continue only in emergency mode to avoid environmental harm.

Reports state that South Stream Transport B.V. has applied for a new license but is uncertain about its ability to obtain one. “In fact, the company has lost operational control over the pipeline,” a source noted.

Radio Free Europe also asserts that the Turkish side was not aware of this situation. This news comes against the backdrop of the accidents involving the Nord Stream pipelines in the Baltic Sea.

In an interview with the media, oil and gas market expert Mikhail Krutikhin mentioned that the Turkish Stream consists of two lines that transport a total of 33 billion cubic meters annually. “Half goes to Turkey, and the second line enters the European Union through Bulgaria, distributing gas among Greece, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Hungary. The last two countries are the main consumers; Hungary is almost entirely dependent on this pipeline, while Serbia is also quite serious. If gas transportation pauses, Southeast Europe faces an annual deficit of 16 billion cubic meters,” the expert explained.