Construction of the Nord Stream gas pipeline will be completed on time, Russia’s Prime Minister Putin said, adding that the gas pipeline could begin operations by 2011.

The new gas project will transport the blue fuel from Russia to Europe while passing through several Baltic countries – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Nord Stream said 22 October that they would hold on to their ambitious plan on the pipeline construction. The pipes will be lowered onto the Baltic Sea seabed starting in the spring of 2010.

The route required approvals from several European countries. Denmark recently gave the project the green light while Finland is expected to announce its decision on constructing the Nord Stream gas pipeline across the country's economic zone in the Baltic on November 5, Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said."

Partners in the consortium include Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, German energy companies E.ON, BASF/Wintershall and Dutch company Gasunie.
 

Tags: Nord Stream gas pipeline