Nord Stream Pipeline
Direct links with the world's biggest gas fields
Today the share of natural gas in Germany is already about 23 percent of primary energy demand and will rise to a good 25 per cent over the next ten years. Germany and Central Europe occupy a strategically favourable position relative to the large gas reserves of Russia.
The demand for gas imports into the European Union - around 400 billion cubic metres ("bcm") in 2009 - is set to grow up to 570 bcm in 2025. The EU sees the rapid expansion of the gas transport infrastructure as being essential if Europe is to be supplied reliably and securely with this additional volume. The EU Commission has therefore graded the proposed pipeline through the Baltic as a priority energy project of pan-European interest and a key project for the future supply of energy to Europe.
Today the share of natural gas in Germany is already about 23 percent of primary energy demand and will rise to a good 25 per cent over the next ten years. Germany and Central Europe occupy a strategically favourable position relative to the large gas reserves of Russia.
The demand for gas imports into the European Union - around 400 billion cubic metres ("bcm") in 2009 - is set to grow up to 570 bcm in 2025. The EU sees the rapid expansion of the gas transport infrastructure as being essential if Europe is to be supplied reliably and securely with this additional volume. The EU Commission has therefore graded the proposed pipeline through the Baltic as a priority energy project of pan-European interest and a key project for the future supply of energy to Europe.
Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture
Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture set up to design, construct and operate the pipeline through the Baltic. Gazprom has a 51 per cent stake in this joint project. BASF/Wintershall and E.ON Ruhrgas each hold 15,5 percent, while the French energy company GDF Suez and the Dutch gas infrastructure company N. V. Nederlandse Gasunie took both a 9 percent stake in the Nord Stream consortium. By connecting the world's largest gas reserves to the European gas pipeline network, Nord Stream will be able to cover around 25 per cent of the European Union's additional gas import requirement. The pipeline, with a total length of over 1,220 kilometres, will come on stream in 2011 initially with an annual capacity of about 27.5 billion cubic metres. In the second phase of the project, an additional leg of the pipeline will double the transport capacity to around 55 billion cubic metres per annum. The Nord Stream pipeline will connect the Russian Baltic coast near the town of Vyborg to the German Baltic coast. Nord Stream will strengthen trade relations between Russia and the EU.
Offshore - The secure supply route
The route taken by Nord Stream is the product of a feasibility study by a Finnish-Russian consortium called North Transgas, a precursor project which in 1997-1999 advocated a route right through the middle of the Baltic following extensive studies and a consideration of alternative routes. The plans were subsequently optimised and fleshed out following additional detailed investigations. As early as 2000 the project was seen as being of particular importance from a European perspective and so was included in the "Guidelines on Trans-European Energy Networks" (TEN-E) for major infrastructure projects. The EU Parliament has defined a total of 42 projects of European interest in the TEN-E list. The EU hopes this will promote the coalescence of European energy markets and so strengthen the security of supply. The Baltic Pipeline therefore is an indispensable instrument for the smooth working of the internal energy market. Beside projects such as Yamal II and Nabucco, Nord Stream is a key project for the long-term security of supply In 2006 Nord Stream was granted the highest TEN-E status of a 'project of European interest'.
Longest underwater pipelines in the world
Although Nord Stream is one of the longest underwater pipelines in the world, at 1,220 kilometres, once the huge natural gas reserves of the Shtokman Field in the Barents Sea are opened up, the new sea route will cut the distance that the gas has to travel to Western Europe by more than a third. This is an essential aspect in regard to Europe's future increased demand for energy. The major investments made in the direct Nord Stream supply route also demonstrate Russia's commitment to strong European supply relations. Dependable supplies of this huge market for natural gas take top priority. As well as seeking the diversification of energy supply sources, the EU has for many years pursued a policy of diversifying transport routes. Nord Stream will make a decisive contribution to this policy as it will not replace any existing pipelines but will be used to address additional import demand.
Nord Stream AG is an international joint venture set up to design, construct and operate the pipeline through the Baltic. Gazprom has a 51 per cent stake in this joint project. BASF/Wintershall and E.ON Ruhrgas each hold 15,5 percent, while the French energy company GDF Suez and the Dutch gas infrastructure company N. V. Nederlandse Gasunie took both a 9 percent stake in the Nord Stream consortium. By connecting the world's largest gas reserves to the European gas pipeline network, Nord Stream will be able to cover around 25 per cent of the European Union's additional gas import requirement. The pipeline, with a total length of over 1,220 kilometres, will come on stream in 2011 initially with an annual capacity of about 27.5 billion cubic metres. In the second phase of the project, an additional leg of the pipeline will double the transport capacity to around 55 billion cubic metres per annum. The Nord Stream pipeline will connect the Russian Baltic coast near the town of Vyborg to the German Baltic coast. Nord Stream will strengthen trade relations between Russia and the EU.
The route taken by Nord Stream is the product of a feasibility study by a Finnish-Russian consortium called North Transgas, a precursor project which in 1997-1999 advocated a route right through the middle of the Baltic following extensive studies and a consideration of alternative routes. The plans were subsequently optimised and fleshed out following additional detailed investigations. As early as 2000 the project was seen as being of particular importance from a European perspective and so was included in the "Guidelines on Trans-European Energy Networks" (TEN-E) for major infrastructure projects. The EU Parliament has defined a total of 42 projects of European interest in the TEN-E list. The EU hopes this will promote the coalescence of European energy markets and so strengthen the security of supply. The Baltic Pipeline therefore is an indispensable instrument for the smooth working of the internal energy market. Beside projects such as Yamal II and Nabucco, Nord Stream is a key project for the long-term security of supply In 2006 Nord Stream was granted the highest TEN-E status of a 'project of European interest'.
Longest underwater pipelines in the world
Although Nord Stream is one of the longest underwater pipelines in the world, at 1,220 kilometres, once the huge natural gas reserves of the Shtokman Field in the Barents Sea are opened up, the new sea route will cut the distance that the gas has to travel to Western Europe by more than a third. This is an essential aspect in regard to Europe's future increased demand for energy. The major investments made in the direct Nord Stream supply route also demonstrate Russia's commitment to strong European supply relations. Dependable supplies of this huge market for natural gas take top priority. As well as seeking the diversification of energy supply sources, the EU has for many years pursued a policy of diversifying transport routes. Nord Stream will make a decisive contribution to this policy as it will not replace any existing pipelines but will be used to address additional import demand.
Longest underwater pipelines in the world
Although Nord Stream is one of the longest underwater pipelines in the world, at 1,220 kilometres, once the huge natural gas reserves of the Shtokman Field in the Barents Sea are opened up, the new sea route will cut the distance that the gas has to travel to Western Europe by more than a third. This is an essential aspect in regard to Europe's future increased demand for energy. The major investments made in the direct Nord Stream supply route also demonstrate Russia's commitment to strong European supply relations. Dependable supplies of this huge market for natural gas take top priority. As well as seeking the diversification of energy supply sources, the EU has for many years pursued a policy of diversifying transport routes. Nord Stream will make a decisive contribution to this policy as it will not replace any existing pipelines but will be used to address additional import demand.
