About: South Stream

How Central Asian energy complements the Southern Gas Corridor

Practical access to Central Asian gas, which would arrive via the twin projects of the White Stream and the Trans-Caspian Pipeline, is finally coming at just the right time to complete the Southern Gas Corridor, writes Robert M. Cutler.

The (German) politics behind Nord Stream 2

An unlikely coalition is emerging in Germany between Angela Merkel’s CDU and the Greens. More and more, both parties want to stop the construction of a second pipeline that will transport gas directly from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea, explains Judy Dempsey.

Europe’s energy policy: Running out of fuel?

Energy security continues to top Europe’s agenda, as proved by the sustainable energy security package unveiled by the Commission in February. Although a step in the right direction, it falls short of ensuring true solidarity in case of supply disruptions, writes Zdzisław Krasnodębski.

The EU and Turkey: Tactical moves, or a golden opportunity?

Confronted by so many internal headaches, the European Union has ruled out enlargement until the end of the decade. The recent decision to revive stalled membership negotiations with Turkey is therefore curious, write Mehmet Ö?ütçü and Stephen Jones.

Time to transform the Eastern Mediterranean

The massive resources available in the Eastern Mediterranean offer the prospect of employment and stability. The pursuit of common interests could unlock enormous untapped potential in the region, write Mehmet Ö?ütçü and Stephen Jones.

Russia and Turkey: Aerial combat and energy security

The aftermath of Turkey’s shooting down of a Russian warplane close to the Turkish-Syrian border on Tuesday morning could well have profound consequences for one of Europe’s most strategic energy relationships, writes John Roberts. 

European pipeline politics need US support

The EU’s external energy security is in Washington’s longterm interest, especially at the time of renewed rivalry between the West and Moscow, writes Jaros?aw Wi?niewski .

From Brussels with regulations: Tsipras should have known better

Putin knows he can use Greece to drive a wedge between Brussels and individual EU member states, and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras should have known better when he makes plans for an extension of the Turkish Stream project across his country, write Sijbren de Jong and Willem Oosterveld.

New South Stream will be Russia’s ‘route of friendship’

Thwarted in one attempt to build a gas pipeline to southeast Europe, the Kremlin is working with a small circle of allies to lay the groundwork for an alternative that would help it maintain leverage in its rivalry with the West, write Krisztina Than and Michael Kahn.

A majority of Bulgarians want South Stream to be built

By freezing the Russia-favoured South Stream gas pipeline project, Sofia had no ability to refuse the Brussels-imposed sanctions on one of its largest trade partners, writes Szilvia Batkov.

Cancellation of South Stream makes economic sense

On December 1, 2014 Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would abandon construction of an ambitious $40 billion project - the South Stream gas pipeline. Hedvika Ko?ousková and Martin Jirušek comment on the wider context of this decision.

Some European leaders just don’t get it about Ukraine

The South Stream pipeline deal shows how interests continue to take precedence over values, regardless of the many who died during pro-democracy protests in Kiev in February, writes Judy Dempsey.

Bulgaria challenges Russia on energy issues

While there is significant disagreement within the Kremlin about how to deal with Sofia's challenge, Moscow is running out of ways to push Bulgaria into fast-tracking its commitment to South Stream, says Stratfor.

Gas security in Central and Eastern Europe: Connected, coordinated and consolidated

Central and Eastern European gas markets have long suffered from isolation and fragmentation, leaving them vulnerable to both supply disruptions and to monopoly pricing power. However, new research suggests that countries collectively negotiating with gas exporters could remedy this problem, argues economist and energy researcher Edward Hunter Christie.  

Progress in Russian-Bulgarian gas negotiations

Russia and Bulgaria have established a framework of agreements regarding the Bulgarian section of the South Stream gas pipeline and new gas contracts. But the negotiation process is still far from over, write Ewa Paszyc and Tomasz D?borowski for Polish think-tank the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) in a July commentary.

The EU and natural gas: The new security agenda

"Energy supply [...] should dominate the EU's overall security objectives for the immediate future, given its dependence on Russia," writes George Joffe, reserarch fellow at the Centre for International Studies at the University of Cambridge in an April paper.