Nord Stream AG welded the final joint on the second string of its trans-Baltic natural gas pipeline in Portovaya Bay near Vyborg, Russia, connecting its onshore and offshore sections. The company will next fill the line with process gas, the final step in the commissioning process.
Nord Stream expects the second line to enter service in this year’s fourth quarter.
Nord Stream extends 1,224 km from Portovaya Bay to the German coast near Greifswald. Commercial gas supplies via Nord Stream’s first string started Nov. 8, 2011 (OGJ Online, Nov. 14, 2011). The company completed stringing of the second line on Apr. 18 (OGJ Online, Mar. 29, 2012). Total capacity of the twin lines measures 55 billion cu m/year.
Nord Stream AG partners are Gazprom 51%, Wintershall Holding 15.5%, E.On Ruhrgas 15.5%, Gasunie 9%, and GDF Suez 9%.
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].