In November 2007, Nord Stream signed two major contracts. These entailed one of the most significant decisions made with regard to the project requirements and the overall budget. Nord Stream signed a contract with the United Metallurgical Company (OMK) based in Vyksa, Russia, for the supply of 25 percent of the pipes (280,000 tonnes) for the first pipeline. A second contract was signed with the German company EUROPIPE, Mülheim a.d. Ruhr, for 75 percent of the necessary volume (860,000 tonnes). In total, Nord Stream has invested more than one billion euros in the pipes for the first pipeline. Having signed the contracts, Nord Stream secured pipes for the first pipeline at current prices, while taking into account projected steel market developments in order to ensure security for its suppliers.

Pipes used to build the Nord Stream pipeline are subject to a three-level quality system with the highest inspection standards. All procedures will be monitored by DNV (Det Norske Veritas) as specified in DNV-OSS-301, the DNV standard for Certification and Verification of Pipelines. Contractors, manufacturers and vendors that cooperate with Nord Stream are the first line of quality verification. Additionally, all critical vender and contractor activities will continuously be supervised by Nord Stream inspectors. In a third step, independent third-party experts will carry out the certification, which means they observe, monitor and review testing, test results, operator qualifications, etc.

The pipes for the pipeline are manufactured from high-tensile steel in accordance with DNV Offshore Standard OS-F 101. The pipeline consists of 12 metre-long pipe joints, which are from 27 to 41 millimetres thick. They are coated with concrete 60 to 110 millimetres thick to give them extra weight and ensure their stability on the seabed. The pipe mills, independent pipeline experts, as well as experts from Nord Stream will perform quality control to ensure that the pipeline can withstand the high internal pressure of over 220 bar.

Offshore pipelines are the safest means of transport within the gas industry. The probability of an incidence of damage to large-diameter offshore gas pipelines is extremely low. Nord Stream has developed a comprehensive system to analyse the potential risks of pipeline construction and operation. The contractors engaged in the project have comprehensive experience in construction and operation of offshore pipelines using technology proven to be sound.A primary design objective for Nord Stream management and experts is to ensure the pipeline is built and operated according to strict safety standards. Nord Stream will use virtually impenetrable pipes up to 41 millimetres thick, with an external coating of up to 150 millimetres.

The construction of the natural gas pipeline is a commercial European project. Nord Stream has no other mission than to construct a secure and environmentally safe infrastructure for transporting natural gas to Europe. The pipeline is constructed strictly in accordance with that mission.