Russia-Ukraine gas conflict could boost Nord Stream gas pipeline project

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine over natural gas supplies arose at a delicate moment considering planned new gas projects, including the proposed giant gas pipeline from Russia to Germany, to be set up on the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
      The controversial 1,200-kilometre pipeline of the Russian-German Nord Stream consortium is to run from Vyborg in Russia under the Baltic Sea to Greifswald in Germany.
     
Nord Stream’s environmental impact evaluation (YVA) for the pipeline project is due in January 2009, after which environmental permits are expected from the five coastal states in the Baltic Sea region.
      However, no permits can be granted until the YVA has been circulated to ministries and official bodies for comments. After the related statements have been completed, the Finnish government will conduct its own discussions on the matter.
      The next few months will see some heavy political wrangling about the implementation of the multi-billion project.
     
The halting of transit shipments of Russian natural gas to Europe has created a debate on the energy and service infrastructure security of the European Union. In this way the crisis could increase support for new projects that could reduce the dependence on a limited number of routes.
      At least that is what Gazprom and Russia, who are both strongly pressing for the Nord Stream project, are hoping for.
      Sebastian Sass, Permitting Manager at Nord Stream, says that once implemented the Nord Stream pipeline would play a significant role in ensuring the supply of energy to the European Union. However, the planned gas pipeline infrastructure could not as such replace the Ukrainian pipelines.
      ”We will need all existing plus planned new routes in order to secure a reliable natural gas supply for Europe”, Sass added.
     
Nord Stream is currently completing the required YVA reports, which are to be included in the gas pipeline applications to be sent to all coastal states in the Baltic Sea region, except for Sweden and Germany, as these two countries have received an application at the end of last year.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Lengths of pipe for Baltic Sea gas pipeline arrive in Kotka (10.6.2008)
  Coastal states in Baltic Sea region reject tight schedule of planned gas pipeline (6.6.2008)
  Swedish government sends back Nord Stream gas pipeline application, demands clarification on environmental impact (13.2.2008)

See also:
  Old sea mines to be detonated to make way for Baltic Sea gas pipeline (25.11.2008)

Links:
  Nord Stream
  Nord Stream Project (Wikipedia)