Fossil energy – Nord Stream
The last section of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has been welded into place earlier this week.
This means that the two long stretches of the pipe can now be joined to complete the Baltic subsea link.
The $11 billion pipeline, which will double Russian gas exporter Gazprom’s capacity via the Baltic Sea, has drawn opposition from the United States, Ukraine and others opposed to Europe increasing its reliance on Russian energy imports.
The Russian pipelaying vessel Fortuna welded the last of the double pipeline on to a stretch of the pipeline in German waters, the project’s operator said, adding this would now need to be welded to a long section in Danish waters to complete the project.
Gazprom said it aims to have Nord Stream 2 in operation by the end of the year.
The pipeline still needs to be certified and approved for use. Certification is expected to take up to four months but will only start once all paperwork is complete, which entails checks by the German economics ministry and Gazprom.
The new pipeline will be able to transport 55 billion cubic metres of gas per year.