Russian gas supplies via the TurkStream pipeline to Europe hit a record high last week, according to TASS calculations based on data provided by the European Network of Gas Transmission System Operators (ENTSOG).
Pumping through the Strandja 2 compressor station on the Türkiye-Bulgaria border exceeded 376 million cubic meters from January 13 to 19. This is a record high since the pipeline was put into operation in January 2020. Previously, the highest weekly transfer via the TurkStream pipeline was 373 million cubic meters recorded in October 2024.
The TurkStream gas pipeline runs from Russia to Türkiye across the Black Sea. The pipeline has the capacity to transport 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Türkiye and the countries of Southern and Southeastern Europe.
TurkStream is currently the only remaining pipeline carrying Russian gas to Europe. The starting point of TurkStream is the Russkaya compressor station built near Anapa, Russia.
Also related to TurkStream, when asked about the recent attack on the TurkStream gas compressor station in Russia's Krasnodar region by Ukraine, Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Prime Minister, Mr. Gergely Gulyas, informed that the Hungarian Government has a backup plan if the TurkStream gas pipeline is not operational.
"We have an action plan for a crisis situation. Gas supplies to Hungary will be guaranteed but it may cost much more," he said, without giving details of the plan.
TASS reported on January 24 that Hungary and Russia reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the TurkStream gas pipeline.
Accordingly, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated after a phone call with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak: "Oil and gas supplies to Hungary continue and the TurkStream pipeline is breaking records, so we reaffirm our commitment to protecting this transport route."
"The cessation of gas transit through Ukraine causes problems for some Central European countries. However, we can still ensure the security of energy supplies to Hungary thanks to the efforts made in recent years," Mr. Szijjarto noted.
Mr. Szijjarto noted that to ensure energy security, Hungary follows a strategy of diversifying gas sources and routes. Last year, Hungary began purchasing small amounts of gas from Türkiye and Azerbaijan. From 2027, Hungary will have LNG supplies from Qatar.
Hungary also plans to expand cooperation with Romania. Romania supplied Hungary with 1.7 billion cubic meters of gas via pipeline last year. Industrial production is expected to begin in 2027 at the Neptune Deep oil field in the Black Sea, off the coast of Romania, and Hungary is also counting on this resource.
Hungary has also expressed its willingness to supply gas through its territory to neighboring Slovakia. Slovakia has also lost its supply of Russian gas via Ukraine.
