Project Milestones

Nord Stream is one of the most advanced infrastructure projects of its scale meeting all international standards applicable. Safe and efficient implementation of the project is possible only with professional experience and commitment of Nord Stream shareholders, partners and staff.

Project on Track - Present Situation

Completed

Feasibility study
General technical design
EIA programme
Public consultations under the Espoo process
Contracting of pipe production and pipe-laying contracts
Route optimisation, additional surveys
Permitting process

Ongoing

International consultations
Detailed technical planning
Financial concept
Dialogue with authorities and public in the Baltic Sea region

: Nord Stream Project Milestones (Click to enlarge)

Milestones

1997-1999	Feasibility Study: International engineering companies, Russian research institutes and the Russian-Finnish company North Transgas Oy conducted surveys and maritime research in the Baltic Sea. Alternative routes for transporting Russian gas to Europe were investigated during that time. A feasibility study of the offshore section confirmed the technical feasibility and economic efficiency of a pipeline through the Baltic Sea.
2000	Project of Interest: In December, the European Union designated the offshore pipeline a “Project of Interest” as part of the Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) guidelines.
2005	Establishment of the North European Gas Pipeline Company: In September, OAO Gazprom, BASF SE and E.ON AG signed a general agreement on the construction of the pipeline. The North European Gas Pipeline Company (later renamed Nord Stream AG) was established in December.
2006	Start of Approval Process: The European Union reconfirmed the importance of Nord Stream by listing it as a “Project of European Interest” within the Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E) guidelines. In November, Nord Stream submitted a Project Information Document on the planned pipeline to the responsible environmental authorities, in accordance with the Espoo Convention.
2007	Detailed technical planning and environmental assessment studies: Nord Stream submitted permit applications to the Swedish government.
2008	Conclusion of contracts: All major contracts with suppliers were finalised: Dutch gas infrastructure company N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie joined the Nord Stream consortium.
2009	Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment and first permits: The final transboundary EIA report was published for public consultation on 9 March. On 20 October, Nord Stream received the approval from Denmark’s Energy Authority to construct the pipeline in Danish waters. On 5 November, Sweden and Finland granted permits to utilise their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) for the pipeline. At the end of December Germany and Russia issued the two necessary permits for the pipeline’s construction.
2010	Finalisation of permitting process and laying of Pipeline One: On 12 February Nord Stream received the last of the permits required to start constructing the pipeline from the Regional Administrative Agency for Southern Finland. Construction of the first line started in April of 2010. In June, French energy provider GDF Suez S.A. joined the Nord Stream consortium.
2011	Commissioning of Pipeline One: After thorough testing, gas deliveries will start.
2011-2012	Laying of Pipeline Two: A second pipeline, running parallel to the first, will be built.
2012	Commissioning of Pipeline Two: With the second line coming on stream, the full capacity of 55 bcm per year will be reached in 2012.