Milestones

Overall Plan

This time plan is based on the need for gas in Europe. Gas import of the European Union, 336 bcm in 2005, is projected to grow by 200 bcm to 536 per year in 2015 (Source: Global Insight, 2007).

Our time plan is ambitious given the work to be completed, but we are determined and we have the necessary expertise and capacities.

Project Milestones

1997-1999	Feasibility Study. International engineering companies, Russian research institutes and the Russian-Finnish company Northtransgas conducted surveys and maritime research in the Baltic Sea. Alternative routes for transporting Russian gas to Europe were investigated. A feasibility study for the offshore section confirmed the technical feasibility and economic efficiency of a pipeline across the Baltic Sea.
2000	Project of Common Interest. In December, the European Union designated the offshore pipeline a “Project of Common Interest” as part of the Trans-European Energy Networks (TEN-E).
2005	Establishment of the North European Gas Pipeline Company. In September, OAO Gazprom, BASF AG and E.ON AG signed a basic 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). Nord Stream AG opened its head office in Zug, Switzerland. In November, Nord Stream submitted a Project Information Document on the planned pipeline to the responsible environmental authorities of Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany in accordance with the Espoo Convention.
2007	Detailed technical planning and environmental assessment studies. Updated status documentation in October. In December, Dutch gas infrastructure company N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie agreed with Gazprom on the principal terms and conditions for its participation in the Nord Stream consortium. Nord Stream submitted applications to the Swedish Government.
2008	Transboundary Environmental Impact Assessment. All major contracts with suppliers have been finalised. Nord Stream to submit transboundary EIA report and national applications in Russia, Denmark, Germany and Finland in line with the national legislation of each country.
2009-2010	Laying of Pipeline 1. The first string of the pipeline will be laid. Before construction can start, a sufficient amount of pipe joints has to be ready in the stock yards along the route.
2011	Commissioning of Pipeline 1. After thorough testing gas deliveries will start.
2011-2012	Laying of pipeline 2. A second pipeline, parallel to the first one will be built.
2012	Commissioning of Pipeline 2. With the second line coming on stream, the full capacity of 55 bn cubic m per year will be reached from 2012 on.