Guide Note

The White Stream Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline project proposed primarily by the Ukraine to deliver gas from the Caspian region into Europe via Poland. The pipeline will be supplied by offshore gas fields under the jurisdiction of Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

There are many criticisms of the project proposal, most generated by doubts of its feasibility. Perhaps most significant are the questions posed by Turkmenistan who have pointed out that while they are being considered a major source for the project, no talks or negotiations have been proposed to develop a plan. Other experts question whether enough Caspian gas will be available to supply the project, as most of it has already been contracted by Russia for use in their South Stream Pipeline.

Fast Facts

1. Plan proposed by the Ukraine
2. Planned to be 580 miles long
3. Would run from Georgia, through the Ukraine and into Europe via Poland
4. Expected to deliver 24-32 billion cubic meters of gas annually
5. Experts doubt whether there is enough gas in the region to adequately supply the pipeline