The Nord Stream pipeline directly links Russia and Germany and plays an important role in ensuring reliable supplies of Russian natural gas to meet the additional demand in Europe. This route will make it possible to bypass the not always predictable transit countries. This project involves the construction of two lines (with a capacity of 27.5 billion cubic meters/year each) under the Baltic Sea from Portovaya Bay near the city of Vyborg to the German coast near Greifswald, stretching some 1200 km. The Nord Stream AG (Switzerland) gas transmission company was established for planning, construction, ownership, financing and the operation of the gas pipeline. At the end of 2010, equity share of the Nord Stream AG company was as follows: Gazprom (51%), E.ON Ruhrgas (15.5%), Wintershall (15.5%), Gasunie (9%) and GDF Suez (9%). Chronology: On 8 November, 2011 the first line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline became operational. After four years planning and 18 months of intensive constructions Russian gas began to flow into gas-transportation system of Europe. On 25 August 2011 the last joint that connects the first line of Nord Stream gas pipeline to the European OPAL gas pipeline has been welded in Lubmin (German land of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). Welding of the "golden seam" − the last one − of the first line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Russian sector has taken place on 22 August 2011. In August 2011, the pipe-laying operation of the second line of Nord Stream in the Gulf of Finland has completed. The second line will be commissioned in late 2012 and will double the pipeline capacity. In April 2010, construction of the first line of the Nord Stream project in the Baltic Sea began. In spring 2010, the Nord Stream consortium attracted external funding from a syndicate of 26 banks amounting to 3.9 billion euros for the first phase of the project. Of this amount, guarantees of export credit agencies SACE and Hermes were received for the sum of 3.1 billion euros. In September 2006 the final Shareholder’s Agreement was signed, as well as the Agreement on the basic conditions of gas transportation. Press-Releases:
Related news: Launch of Nord Stream third and fourth lines environmental impact assessment – 04.04.2013 Construction of NEL last line approved by German authorities – 12.02.2013 The Gazelle gas pipeline commissioned in the Czech Republic – 15.01.2013 Gazprom achieved record daily supply volumes – 14.12.2012 Nord Stream second string commissioned, third and fourth strings next in turn – 08.10.2012 “Golden Weld” on the second line of Nord Stream completed at Its Russian Landfall – 30.08.2012 Environmental monitoring results: Nord Stream has no negative effect on the Gulf of Finland – 21.08.2012 Welding of the second line of Nord Stream completed – 29.06.2012 Full load testing successfully completed at Nord Stream gas pipeline – 24.05.2012 Nord Stream to explore the possibility of expanding gas transmission infrastructure through the Baltic Sea – 11.05.2012 Nord Stream Finalizes Second Line Ahead of Schedule – 18.04.2012 Nord Stream Pipeline Inaugurated – Major Milestone for European Energy Security – 09.11.2011 Nord Stream to be commissioned in November 8, while South Stream in December 2015 – 04.10.2011 Gazprom starts filling the first line of the Nord Stream gas pipeline – 06.09.2011 Nord Stream gas pipeline connected to the European OPAL – 25.08.2011 The last seam of the first line of the Nord Stream gas link is welded on Russian territory – 22.08.2011 Pipe-laying of Nord Stream second line completed in the Gulf of Finland – 15.08.2011 Gerhard Schröder confident European demand for Russian gas will only grow – 04.08.2011 Construction of OPAL gas pipeline completed – 13.07.2011 Preparations for the start of welding works on the Nord Stream pipeline through the Baltic Sea – 12.05.2011 Nord Stream Lays Last Pipe of First Gas Pipeline Through the Baltic Sea – 05.05.2011 In Germany, construction of the NEL pipeline has begun – 15.04.2011 After laying off seven nuclear power plants Germany became an energy importer – 13.04.2011 Fundraising for the second phase of the Nord Stream completed by Nord Stream AG – 04.03.2011 Italy is a strategic partner, cooperation with which goes back decades – 16.02.2011 Nord Stream awarded the best financial project ("Project Finance Award") – 10.02.2011 Construction of NEL link to Nord Stream to start in March – 08.02.2011 The Nord Stream project is a priority for the European Union – 28.01.2011 Nord Stream Phase II Financing Update: Commitment Letters have been signed – 16.12.2010 Nord stream and environmental control – 10.12.2010 Nord Stream Phase II Financing Update – 26.11.2010 OPAL gas pipeline reaches the Czech Republic – 22.11.2010 "Solitaire" Vessel joined the Nord Stream construction – 22.08.2010 Test on Tenacity: “Passed” – 26.06.2010 |
