Natural gas market

Nord Stream significantly contributes to the long-term security of gas supply in Europe. Natural gas will help to further replace oil and coal, with on-going positive effects for the climate. European gas import needs are projected to grow by about 200 billion cubic metres by the year 2015. By connecting the world’s biggest gas reserves with the European gas pipeline network, Nord Stream will meet about 25 per cent of the additional needs.

Several comprehensive environmental research studies carried out by Nord Stream will provide new data and expertise on the Baltic Sea (its conditions, flora and fauna). This data will be made available to the Baltic Sea countries and contributes significantly to get a better knowledge for preserving the Baltic Sea.

Nord Stream is also a benchmark project for international co-operation at many different levels, which paves the way for closer collaboration in the future:

• Environmental authorities, NGOs, scientists and experts from countries surrounding the Baltic Sea are working together to analyse and discuss results of the EIA, as well as working out common practices for assessing international projects.
• Leading European engineers are jointly discussing innovations in technical designs and planning.
• Industry leaders from all over Europe are involved in securing the technical capacities needed to implement the project. The realisation of Nord Stream will have a positive impact on the economy around the Baltic Sea and beyond.

Additional volumes of gas and, thus, additional transport capacities will be needed to cover Western Europe’s growing import requirements. By 2015, the EU annual imports of gas are estimated to rise by t some 200 billion cubic metres from current levels. To cover these requirements, further gas pipeline projects – in addition to Nord Stream – are being planned to ensure long-term security of energy supplies.