In an interview with Rossiya 24 TV Channel, Miller said Gazprom had switched to the stage of preparing and mobilizing resources for the Turkish Stream gas pipeline’s sea stretch.

MOSCOW, May 8. /TASS/. Gazprom has switched to the stage of building the offshore section of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline intended to bring Russian natural gas to Europe via Turkey, Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller said on Friday.

"That is why, today’s date can be considered the commencement date for the construction of the gas pipeline’s sea section," the Gazprom head said.

The Turkish Stream will serve as an alternative to the South Stream gas pipeline project abandoned by Russia in December 2014.

The larger part of the Turkish Stream pipeline will run across the Black Sea and coincide with the South Stream route approved earlier.

Gazprom and Turkey’s Botas signed a memorandum of understanding on December 1, 2014 on building the pipeline’s offshore section across the Black Sea.

The Turkish Stream will have an annual capacity of 63 billion cubic meters, of which 47 billion cubic meters will be delivered to a new gas hub on the Turkish-Greek border.

Gazprom Russkaya company will be in charge of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline construction.