The construction of a deep-water part of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline’s first leg finished on Monday near Turkey’s Black Sea coast, Russia’s energy giant Gazprom said.

The average speed of the construction in the deep-water area, carried out by the Pioneering Spirit vessel, reached 4.3 km per day. The maximum efficiency - 5.6 km per day - was achieved twice this February.

The Pioneering Spirit vessel will continue the deep-water construction of the second leg of the gas pipeline in the third quarter of 2018.

"The Turkish Stream project’s implementation is successfully continuing. An important stage has been achieved - the gas pipeline’s first leg has been built. The construction rate is high," Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said.

Since May 7, 2017 when the construction of Turkish Stream’s offshore section began, a total of 1,161 km of the gas pipeline or 62% have been constructed, he said, stressing: "No doubt, the Turkish Stream will play a great role in enhancing energy security of Turkey and Europe."

Aida AYSA,

“Khalg gazeti”