ksanawo / DepositPhotos
The gas pipeline “Nord stream-2” subject to the limitations associated with the gas Directive because it was not completed until may 2019
ksanawo / DepositPhotos
The gas pipeline “Nord stream-2” subject to the limitations associated with the gas Directive because it was not completed until may 2019. This writes Handelsblatt citing Federal network Agency of Germany (Bundesnetzagentur, BNetzA).
The Agency will make the decision on whether to release the pipeline from the restrictions imposed by the EU gas Directive. According to it, restrictions are not imposed on those projects, which were built until may 2019. Created for the planning, construction and subsequent operation of the “Nord stream-2” 2 Nord Stream AG, the sole shareholder and founder of which is the Russian “Gazprom” insisted on the fact that the exception for the pipeline should be made in connection with the fact that his strip to the deadline has begun. The application with the request to exempt them from the operation of the gas Directive, Nord Stream AG Nord Stream AG 2 submitted to the Agency in January.
The final decision on this matter is still pending, however, the BNetzA has already produced a preliminary draft decision which implies that the application of Nord Stream AG 2 it will reject. 2 Nord Stream AG may appeal the decision of the BNetzA to the Higher regional court of düsseldorf, and he may refer the matter to the European court, according to RBC.
In accordance with the amendments to the gas Directive in 2009, all the rules of the European legislation (the separation of gas suppliers and transportation companies, third-party access to the capacity of the pipeline, non-discriminatory tariffs and transparency) should apply not only to land but also to offshore pipelines from third countries. This means that Gazprom will be able to use the “Nord stream-2” after the completion of only 50%. Remaining capacity needs to be provided to other suppliers. To solve this issue for the offshore pipeline will have to create a special gas transmission operator, independent from the vendor.
The operator “Nord stream – 2” – 2, Nord Stream AG does not agree with the preliminary decision of the Federal network Agency of Germany’s refusal to exempt the project from the rules of the EU Gas Directive, and intends to continue to defend their rights after the evaluation of the final solution. About TASS reported the press Secretary of the operator Jens Mueller.
“We are aware of the information provided by the German regulator BNetzA stakeholders. We do not agree with this conclusion. We will wait for the official decision and, of course, appreciate it, and our actions to protect our rights,” said TASS representative of the operator.
The project “Northern stream-2” involves the construction of two pipelines with a total capacity of 55 billion cubic meters per year off the coast of Russia through the Baltic sea to Germany. The pipeline is to bypass the transit States (Ukraine, Belarus and Poland) through the exclusive economic zones and territorial waters of five countries: Russia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Partners “Gazprom” under the project are European companies Uniper, Wintershall, OMV, Shell and Engie.
20 December 2019, the US President, Donald trump has signed the defense budget for 2020, providing for sanctions against the gas pipeline “Nord stream-2” from Russia to Germany and “Turkish stream” from Russia to the European part of Turkey. The launch of the second restrictive measures did not stop, but the construction of “Nord stream – 2” stopped immediately. Swiss company, Allseas pipelay pre stopped working, and on December 21 all of its vessels were withdrawn from the area of construction, although they had 30 days to minimize work prior to the commencement of the punitive measures.
The sanctions include blocking all U.S. assets fall under the restrictions of the companies prohibit transactions with the defendants in the list, and the ban on entry of representatives of companies in the United States. According to the document, the imposition of sanctions is one of the measures for “containment of Russia” and aimed at “the protection of the European energy security.”
In “Gazprom” in mid-February 2020 announced that the gas pipeline will be launched at the end of the year. That “Nord stream-2” already will work this time or early next year, said President Vladimir Putin.