Nord Stream Resumes Gas Flow

Gas flow has resumed on the Nord Stream pipeline following a planned two week shutdown.

The shutdown was necessitated by work on the second pipeline on the project, during which pipe-laying was completed. The pipe-laying brings Nord Stream closer to the completion of the second pipeline of the twin pipeline system which is expected to begin operations by the end of this year.

On the 18th of April, the consortium announced that it had laid the final section of the 1,224-kilometre pipeline, after which it would be de-watered and dried.

Following the lay of the second pipeline, the Nord Stream consortium says work will begin on connecting the three sections of the pipeline underwater this summer. The section underwater off the Finnish coast is set to be joined first in Mid-May, while the sections off the Swedish coast will be completed in Mid-June.

During the shutdown, the consortium says it used the time to test and adapt the integrated control system necessary for the twin pipeline. It says it has now received the relevant certifications and re-opened the valves for gas flow on Saturday the 28th of April.

The consortium also said in a statement that it expects to begin pre-commissioning activities on the pipeline this summer.