The construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline in the Baltic Sea is on course to be completed in 2019. This is according to Gazprom, which manages the project construction through its subsidiary Nord Stream 2 AG.
Gazprom said on Tuesday that the permits were being drawn up and that national environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports were submitted to the German, Danish, Finnish and Swedish authorities.
The company added that the construction permit applications were filed for the sections of the gas pipeline in the countries mentioned above.
“Preparations for the pipeline’s construction are in full swing, with contracts signed for all basic materials, equipment, and services required for the project,” Gazprom said.
According to the company, Nord Stream 2 will be completed on time and brought into operation before the end of 2019.
Russian EIA
Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of the project, in November said that the company submitted the final EIA report to the Russian Environmental Inspectorate (Rosprirodnadzor) for state environmental expert review.
The EIA state review is expected to be concluded in early 2018 and is a prerequisite for the permits expected later in 2018.
The development of the final EIA report followed the public consultation process based on the draft report published in early August 2017.
“As a responsible project developer, Nord Stream 2 has taken on board many comments and recommendations received from experts and public during the 60-day consultation period,” the company said.
The two 1,200-km Nord Stream 2 pipelines will mostly follow the route of the existing Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea – from the coast of Russia to Greifswald on Germany’s northern coast. The project will have the capacity to transport up to 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from Russia to Europe, connecting with pipelines within the European Union for onwards transmission.