Nord Stream in operation from October 2011
Head of the Nord Stream consortium’s Shareholder Committee, Gerhard Schröder, says the pipeline across the Baltic Sea will start pumping gas in October 2011.
In a meeting with Russian Prime Minister yesterday, Gerhard Schröder underlined that the Russian-German-Dutch pipeline project will be in operation from October 2011. That is in line with the company’s projected deadline.
Mr. Schröder also highlighted the importance of the pipeline project for all of Europe. At the same time he stressed that the pipeline is not meant to replace other gas export routes, but only compliment these.
The 1220 km long Nord Stream pipeline is projected to be a direct Russian supply link to the EU with a transmission capacity of about 55 billion cubic metres a year.
The pipeline is planned fuelled partly by gas from the Shtokman field in the Barents Sea. Also gas from the Yamal Peninsula is likely to run through the pipeline.
Nord Stream is a joint project of Gazprom (51%), BASF/Wintershall (20%), E.ON Ruhrgas (20%) and Gasunie (9%). The first of two gas lines, with a transmission capacity of around 27,5 billion cubic metres a year is due for completion in 2011. The second line is planned put in operation in 2012.
Total investment in the offshore pipeline is projected at 7.4 billion EUR, the project website reports.
