VIENNA, January 29. / TASS /. The operator of the Nord Stream -2-gas pipeline construction project, Nord Stream 2 AG, expects to receive permission from Denmark to lay the pipeline by the end of the year, said Paul Corcoran, financial director of the company at the European Gas Conference on Tuesday. "We hope that we will receive permission by the end of the year," he said. Corcoran noted that resolution is still the only problem. He recalled that the company had already sent the second application, and the "Danish authorities are considering it in the proper way."
The Nord Stream 2 project will consist of two gas pipeline lines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year from the coast of Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany. The total capacity of the project is 55 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The cost of construction is estimated at 9.5 billion euros. As expected, the pipeline will be launched before the end of 2019. The pipeline will bypass transit countries - Ukraine, Belarus, Poland and other Eastern European and Baltic countries through exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries - Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Only Denmark has not issued permission for the construction. According to the statements of the Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, he is going to block or postpone the implementation of the project. Gazprom noted that they could use an alternative route if Denmark does not issue a permit.
The sole shareholder of Nord Stream 2 AG is Gazprom. Gazprom's European partners - Wintershall, Uniper, OMV, Engie and Royal Dutch Shell - will finance 50% of the project. The head of Gazprom, Alexey Miller, has previously stated that the implementation of the construction schedule for Nord Stream 2 makes it possible to speak of a possible start of gas supplies through this gas pipeline from January 1, 2020.