Nord Stream 2 gas filling begins

The gas-in procedure for the first string of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline has started, following the completion of pre-commissioning activities.

This string, of which gas filling started on 4 October, will be gradually filled to build the required inventory and pressure as a prerequisite for the later technical tests.

Previously, the first string of the pipeline underwent pre-commissioning activities to assure the pipeline integrity.

This included the internal inspection by special devices, pipeline inspection gauges, as well as external visual and instrumental surveys of the pipeline.

Pre-commissioning steps for the second string are ongoing. Nord Stream 2 said it will inform about further technical steps in due time.

The US$11 billion-worth Nord Stream 2 is designed as two parallel 48-inch lines, roughly 1,200 kilometres long, each starting south-west of St. Petersburg and ending at the German coast at Greifswald.

Russian gas company Gazprom had announced on 10 September that the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline had been fully completed.

The project will have the capacity to transport 55 billion cubic metres of Russian gas a year to the EU for at least 50 years.

Source: Offshore Energy Today