Energy: Operator: Nord Stream 2’s first tube is filled with gas

energy
Operator: The first Nord Stream 2 tube is filled with gas

Pig station, pipe systems and shut-off devices in the gas landing station of Nord Stream 2. Photo: Jens Büttner / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa

© dpa-infocom GmbH

The Baltic Sea pipeline is expected to deliver 55 billion cubic meters of gas to Germany every year. The first tube has now been filled. However, when the gas transport begins is still open.

According to the operator, the first strand of the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline is ready for operation. The filling with gas was completed, announced the Nord Stream 2 AG.

The first tube was filled with around 177 million cubic meters of so-called technical gas. This creates the prerequisites “to start gas transport at a later point in time”. Nord Stream 2 AG did not initially name a date.

According to the information, the technical preparations are underway for the second strand. Details should be given at a later date, it said. The line has been completed, but the German authorities have not yet received an operating license.

The 1230-kilometer pipeline from Russia to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, which has two strands, is expected to deliver 55 billion cubic meters of gas annually. According to the operating company, this can supply 26 million households.

Russia is putting pressure on Nord Stream 2 to go into operation quickly, referring to the high prices for natural gas. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Moscow last week that deliveries via this route would ease the situation on the heated gas market.

Critics see the danger that Russia could misuse the pipeline for geopolitical purposes because it would make itself more independent of Ukraine as an important transit country.

dpa

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