Gazprom is considering expanding capacity of the Blue Stream gas pipeline between Russia and Turkey.

Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev and Taner Yildiz, the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, have discussed an increase in annual throughput from the current 16 bcm (600 bcf) to 19 bcm (700 bcf).

This would not involve laying extras strings of the pipeline, the offshore section of which transits the southeast corner of the Black Sea to northern Turkey.

According to Gazprom, Blue Stream transports more 50% of all Russian gas purchased by Turkey.