-OMV gives green light to TurkStream project
As pressure from the U.S. and the EU, with the exception of Germany, intensifies against the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project, discussions on the plan to expand the TurkStream project – the TurkStream 2 - are escalating.
Rainer Seele, head of the Vienna-based energy company OMV and Nord Stream 2 contractor, told reporters in Moscow 'we are watching the developments in Europe with Gazprom [Russia’s gas giant and company spearheading the TurkStream project] and our European partners and we are considering the various scenarios.'
While confirming that the construction of Nord Stream 2 was continuing on schedule, Seele asserted “the political statements on the project are not our priority.”
He added that they are also evaluating the 2 project.
'We support all pipelines that will come to Austria as part of the project,” the OMV head said.
Gazprom Chairman Aleksey Miller recently said the 2 project could be implemented if the demand is there along with the determination to realize the project.
Meanwhile, the U.S. and the EU decided last week to apply sanctions to eight people from Russia due to the tension between Russia and Ukraine in the Kerch Strait last November.
Nonetheless, because of sustained high oil prices and the fact that the sanctions remain “softer than expected,” these newly applied sanctions are not expected to have a significant impact on the Russian markets.