Russia expects the pipeline to be operated within the next six months.
(Photo: imago images / Jens Koehler)
Moscow According to the Russian energy giant Gazprom, the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which has not yet been certified, is ready to go. The second line is completely filled with technical gas, said CEO Alexej Miller on Wednesday, according to the Interfax agency. The procedure was concluded at noon.
“This new line will certainly help to stabilize prices in the European market,” said President Vladimir Putin, referring to high gas prices. As soon as Germany opens operations, more gas will flow to Europe – and that will lower prices on the European spot market.
Gas deliveries for the Russian market would have priority, Putin said. “But Russia has the opportunity to increase its gas exports.” According to Miller, gas storage facilities in Europe are 44 percent full, and in Germany 47 percent. Gazprom has not pumped gas through the Russian-European Yamal pipeline for days.
Nord Stream 2 is supposed to bring gas from Russia to Germany bypassing Ukraine. The Baltic Sea pipeline was completed weeks ago, but is not yet operational.
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Russia expects an operating permit within the next six months. The process for certification of the tubes should be completed in accordance with the deadlines known to him in the first half of the year, said the Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Nowak, who is responsible for energy issues, of the Russian newspaper “RBK”.
“We believe that this project cannot be made to fail,” said Nowak. It was built in accordance with all legal requirements. “There was a lot of resistance.”
The project is controversial. The US government criticizes that Europe is making itself too dependent on Russia for its energy supply. The financially weak Ukraine is urgently dependent on the billions in revenue from the transit fees for gas transit and now fears high losses.
More: Should Berlin use Nord Stream 2 to increase the pressure on Moscow? A pros and cons.