London
3 December 2014
South Stream pipeline halt throws focus back on Ukraine
An alternative route for Russian gas could carve through Ukraine into the rest of Europe
Russia's decision to stop the Gazprom-controlled South Stream gas pipeline project, which would have pumped gas to south and central Europe, has thrown the spotlight firmly back on Ukraine, which hosts the most obvious alternative route for increased Russian gas supply to Europe, if the political and military crisis there can be resolved. On 1 December, during a visit to Turkey, Russian president Vladimir Putin and Gazprom head Alexei Miller said that the $40 billion-plus scheme was being halted in the face of opposition from the European Commission and that Russia would now focus on other more feasible gas projects. In June, the Commission effectively stopped construction of the Bulgarian s
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
