EU welcomes the proposed Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline project if it meets regulations, Eurogas President Gertjan Lankhorst said Friday in Washington, according to Russian news agency Sputnik.
'If Turkish Stream brings gas into Europe, you have to look at whether the partners in that project comply with European regulations. If that is the case, then we would be happy with that project,' said Lankhorst who is the president of the association Eurogas which represents actors from the European gas industry.
The project dubbed as South Stream, which was planned by Russia before introducing the Turkish Stream, was cancelled on Dec. 2014 by Russian President Vladimir Putin since it was not conforming to EU regulations.
The Russian-proposed Turkish Stream project initially planned to carry 63 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey's Thrace region to reach Greece and further deliver gas to Europe.
However, Russian state-owned gas firm Gazprom's CEO Alexei Miller said October that the company plans to supply only up to 32 bcm via the Turkish Stream since it aims to expand the Nord Stream gas pipeline, from the Baltic Sea to Germany.
Lankhorst said he welcomes any pipeline projects towards the energy supply security of Europe.
'In general, I welcome all new investments in pipeline systems for Europe, whether they come from the north, or they come through Turkey. It is very good to have more possibilities for international trade in gas,' he said.
'I think, if there are private parties that want to invest in an extra pipeline that could bring what Russia has to Europe, that is a good initiative and we should be happy with it,' he added.
Europe imports around 30 percent, 150 bcm, of its total gas consumption from Russia every year.
Meanwhile, Russian state-owned oil company Rosneft CEO Igor Sechin said Friday that the firm can offer European energy companies $100 billion for joint projects.
'According to our estimates, Rosneft can offer its European partners to join projects worth $100 billion to build energy bridges between Russia and Europe, and Russia and the Asia Pacific region,' Sechin said at an event in Italy, according to Sputnik.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr