Pipe-laying vessel carries out Nord Stream 2 work
A pipe-laying vessel has started work in Danish waters ahead of the resumption of construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
The project, designed to boost Russian gas supplies to Europe and bypass Ukraine, has met resistance from the US, which wants to sell its own sea-borne liquefied natural gas to the European Union.
The construction of the pipeline, which would double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream link from Russia to Germany, was suspended in December 2019 following a threat of sanctions from the US.
“The lay barge Fortuna has started works in the construction corridor in the Danish EEZ, ahead of the resumption of the Nord Stream 2 construction,” Nord Stream 2 said. “All works are performed in line with relevant permits.”
Nord Stream 2 cited a Danish Maritime Authority notice about resuming work on January 15, Reuters reported. The group had earlier said activities would include preparatory work and tests before pipe-laying started.
Work resumed for a brief period last month on a 2.6-km (1.6-mile) stretch in German waters. A Danish regulator said construction would restart in Danish waters from mid-January, with Fortuna, which had worked in the German zone.
More than 90% of the project, led by Russian gas giant Gazprom, has been already completed.
Gazprom’s western partners in the project, estimated to cost €9.5 billion, are Germany’s Uniper, BASF’s Wintershall Dea, Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, Austria’s OMV and French energy company Engie.
The project, designed to boost Russian gas supplies to Europe and bypass Ukraine, has met resistance from the US, which wants to sell its own sea-borne liquefied natural gas to the European Union.
The construction of the pipeline, which would double the capacity of the existing Nord Stream link from Russia to Germany, was suspended in December 2019 following a threat of sanctions from the US.
“The lay barge Fortuna has started works in the construction corridor in the Danish EEZ, ahead of the resumption of the Nord Stream 2 construction,” Nord Stream 2 said. “All works are performed in line with relevant permits.”
Nord Stream 2 cited a Danish Maritime Authority notice about resuming work on January 15, Reuters reported. The group had earlier said activities would include preparatory work and tests before pipe-laying started.
Work resumed for a brief period last month on a 2.6-km (1.6-mile) stretch in German waters. A Danish regulator said construction would restart in Danish waters from mid-January, with Fortuna, which had worked in the German zone.
More than 90% of the project, led by Russian gas giant Gazprom, has been already completed.
Gazprom’s western partners in the project, estimated to cost €9.5 billion, are Germany’s Uniper, BASF’s Wintershall Dea, Anglo-Dutch oil major Shell, Austria’s OMV and French energy company Engie.
