The Nord Stream Pipeline construction is fully on track. Over 1,000 kilometres of Line 1 and 70 kilometres of Line 2 have already been laid in the Baltic Sea.

The project has all the necessary permits, and all pipes and construction capacities have been procured. “Gas deliveries will start in Line 1 before the end of 2011, and Line 2 will be launched in 2012,” says Matthias Warnig, Managing Director of Nord Stream AG. The plan is confirmed by all Nord Stream shareholders.

Any other discussions apparently concern further potential infrastructure plans in addition to the existing Nord Stream project.

Nord Stream is a natural gas pipeline that will link Russia and the European Union through the Baltic Sea. The European Union’s annual natural gas imports in the year 2008 were approximately 320 billion cubic metres (bcm) and are projected to increase to around 500 bcm by the year 2030. By then, the EU will need additional gas imports of 160 to 200 bcm per year (Source: IEA, World Energy Outlook, 2010). Nord Stream will meet up to one third of this additional gas import requirement by connecting the European gas pipeline network to some of the world’s largest gas reserves. The project will be an important contribution to long-term security of supply and a milestone of the energy partnership between the European Union and Russia.

Source: nord-stream ,February 21, 2011;