The disputed Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is complete

The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, which aims to double Russian gas export capacity to the bottom of the Baltic Sea to Europe, is ready. The construction of the disputed project was completed this morning, the head of the local state gas company Gazprom Alexei Miller told the Russian news agency TASS. The last part of the pipeline was laid on September 6. Then the individual sections had to be interconnected. The $ 11 billion project has an annual transportation capacity of 55 billion cubic meters. Work began in 2018 and was completed with a delay of one and a half years. The project faced political opposition from the United States, but also from Ukraine and Poland. Commercial deliveries via the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline will start after approval by the German regulator. It is now waiting for the necessary permits. It is expected that their equipment may take four months. The administrator must obtain all documents, including tests of the German Ministry of Economy and the Russian gas giant Gazprom. The pipeline in the Nord Stream 2 project bypasses the territory of Poland and Ukraine. Countries will thus lose part of their diplomatic influence, as well as the transit fees they have received so far. Washington was also against the construction of the gas pipeline. However, in July, it concluded an agreement with Berlin that allowed the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline without imposing further US sanctions. Gazprom is expected to start supplying its first gas to Germany in October. The Nord Stream 1 parallel pipeline has been in operation since 2011.