Preparatory works for the pipelaying of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project started on Wednesday, according to an official announcement of Nord Stream 2 AG, the developer of the pipeline.
Nord Stream 2 AG said the offshore installation barge Castoro 10 (C10) began preparatory works prior to the pipelaying phase of the project, which will carry Russian natural gas to the EU market through the Baltic Sea.
'The C10 assumed its starting position with the help of its eight anchors in the shallow waters of Lubmin [Bay of Greifswald, Germany],' the company said,
The company added that during operations, pipe segments would be welded together on board the vessel and pulled ashore by a high-performance winch to connect the landfall facilities of the Nord Stream 2 with the new offshore pipeline.
It said that, in parallel, preparations for the subsequent pipelaying in the Bay of Greifswald would continue.
'Five excavators are currently working on the 29-kilometer long pipe trench. We expect construction works to be completed in the Bay of Greifswald by the end of this year,' the company explained.
The Nord Stream 2 plans to carry 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany.
Many European countries such as Lithuania, Poland and Czechia object to the project claiming it is not commercially viable but is merely politically motivated to ensure Russian dominance in the European energy market.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr