At a recent meeting in Espoo, Finland, Zurich-based Nord Stream AG confirmed that it has decided to re-route the pipeline to run north – rather than south – of the Danish island of Bornholm. The decision, which will add about 8km to the pipeline’s total length, follows further research into environmental and legal issues. Besides these studies, meetings with Danish and German authorities were held to discuss the matter.
Studies indicate that the more-northerly route, which will stay even further away from known munitions dump sites south of Bornholm, will minimize any environmental impact and avoid the possibility of delay due to legal uncertainties with regard to the unsettled sea border line south of Bornholm.
The gas pipeline, which will link Russia and the European Union via the Baltic Sea, will provide about 25% of European gas requirements, and will be an important contribution to long-term security of supply and a test of the energy partnership between the EU and Russia. Nord Stream plans to have the first of two parallel pipelines, each around 1,200km long and each with a capacity of 27.5 billion cum/yr, operational in 2010. In the second phase, capacity should double to about 55 billion cum/yr.
Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture established for the planning, construction, and subsequent operation of the new offshore gas pipeline. Gazprom holds 51% in the joint venture, with Wintershall and E.ON Ruhrgas each owning 24.5%.
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