Russ Oil-Gas

September 18, 2008 - Russia Today - The Nordstream gas project has been the key focus of a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Gazprom chief Alexei Miller, and Nordstream Project head Gerhard Schroeder. The multi billion gas project Nordstream topped the agenda of Thursdays meeting between prime Minister Putin, Germany’s former top politician Gerhard Schroeder, and Gazprom’s Alexei Miller. Miller is keen to allay fears about any possible delays to the project. “There is no doubt that the project will be realized by the end of 2011. We’ve already signed the necessary documents on running the pipeline through the Baltic sea, and on production of the pipeline. First deliveries of the pipeline are already being made.” Alexei Miller reassured that Nordstream will meet more than a quarter of Europes gas needs. Its estimated that Europes need for imported gas will reach more than 200 Billion cubic metres. A key focus of the meeting was the projects environmental risks. Some say the construction of the pipeline along the floor of the Baltic Sea will unavoidably have some environmental impacts. Gerhard Schroeder says they have already addressed many of these issues. “In October we will present the most detailed research ever made on the ecology of the Baltic Sea. It will cost 100 Million Euro and will concern not only ecological problems but also munitions sunk during World War 2.” Meanwhile Nordstream is becoming a multinational project. So far 5 countries are on the list of those who will receive Russian gas by 2011, and this number will only grow.