Saipem cleared to work on Gazprom’s Black Sea pipeline

Italian oilfield services provider Saipem has said that South Stream Transport has lifted suspension of activities in the Black Sea.

Saipem had contracts for pipe laying of the controversial South Stream pipeline contract in the Black Sea, which was supposed to carry Russian gas through the sea and make a landfall in Bulgaria.

The project was cancelled due to opposition from the EU. Gazprom then decided to redirect the pipeline and send its gas to Turkey.

In its press release issued Friday, Saipem said that the Gazprom-controlled company South Stream Transport BV was lifting the suspension of work under the contracts, and that Saipem “should commence works on the offshore pipeline in the Black Sea.”

While the company did not provide more details, this most likely means Saipem will be laying the Turksih Stream pipes on the seabed.

Offshore Energy Today has reached out to South Stream Transport BV for more information on the new agreement with Saipem, and we will update the article should we get a response.

 

Offshore Energy Today Staff