TurkStream project stalls at Bulgarian court

The construction of the TurkStream gas pipeline through Bulgaria, on which the supply of Serbia with Russian gas depends, has not yet started, although it is planned for the works to start this month.

The reason for this is that the project has stalled in court, writes Politika.

The Italian-Saudi consortium Arkada, originally slated to do the job, but then suspended for failing to submit full documentation twice within the set deadline, filed a lawsuit because it considers itself a damaged party, especially after learning that the Bulgarian side is ready to lower the price by 31.5% from the original offer for the newly selected gas pipeline development consortium.

Immediately after the suspension, the Bulgarian gas company’s director, Vladimir Malinov, announced last month that a new consortium for the development of the gas pipeline would be doing the job.

The first hearing is expected in September, which is why it is not realistic to expect that the first gas quantities will be delivered through Bulgaria and Serbia through TurkStream before the end of this year.

The source of Politika says that the most important thing is that Bulgaria is firmly behind the decision to build this gas pipeline, as it needs gas, as does Serbia, especially as it is known that a complete suspension of gas supply through Ukraine can be expected at the beginning of next year and that the largest quantities of Russian gas to Serbia and the surrounding countries are delivered via this route.

The same source reminds that, if Bulgaria withdraws from the project for any reason, Serbia will be getting gas from the largest gas storage in Baumgarten in Austria and through Hungary, but the question remains at what price.

Arkada consortium

Bulgaria consortium

TurkStream gas pipeline

Vladimir Malinov

Baumgarten gas storage Austria