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In Germany’s exclusive maritime economic zone, the section of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline has been completed.
That’s according to dpa agency’s report of December 28.
The pipes were laid on a 2.6 km section at a 30-meter depth. Russian pipelayer Fortuna was involved in relevant works.
Noteworthy, the construction of Russia’s gas pipeline in the German territory was frozen for a year over the package of sanctions imposed by the U.S.
On December 11, 2020, Russia resumed construction.
Now, another 147 km worth of the pipe is yet to be laid in Danish waters to complete the project. The last remaining construction stage is expected to begin in mid-January 2021.
Nord Stream 2: Background
The Nord Stream 2 project envisages the construction and operation of two gas pipeline branches with a total throughput capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. It should connect Russia’s Ust-Lug and Germany’s Greifswald. This new pipeline bypassing Ukraine is to be built next to the existing Nord Stream 1 pipe.
The construction of the pipeline was expected to be completed before the end of 2019.
The pipeline is set to be 1,220 km long. The project is being implemented by Russia’s Gazprom in alliance with European companies – ENGIE, OMV, Royal Dutch Shell, Uniper, and Wintershall. Ukraine stands against the construction of Nord Stream 2 as it will most likely lose its status of a gas transit country, while its potential revenue losses are estimated at US$3 billion annually. The project is also highly criticized by the U.S., Poland, and the Baltic States.
According to media reports, U.S. President-elect Joe Biden intends to do his utmost to prevent the completion of Nord Stream 2 project.
On November 4, 2020, the media reported that Congress wants to expand sanctions against Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream.
On December 4, 2020, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said he doubted that the U.S. position on Nord Stream 2 would change after Biden’s inauguration.
On December 6, 2020, United States Charge d’Affaires to Germany Robin Quinville called on the EU and Germany to declare a moratorium on the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
On December 9, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the 2021 NDAA with expanded restrictions against the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.
