Nord Stream is a twin natural gas pipeline that will link Vyborg, Russia, and Greifswald, Germany, across the Baltic Sea. Each line is approximately 1,220km long, with a transport capacity of some 27.5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per annum. Overall capacity of about 55bcm per year will be reached when both the lines become operational.
Saipem will start the pipe-laying activities in the first months of 2010 by using two pipe-laying vessels, in order to complete the first line in the first half of 2011. This is a prerequisite for first gas deliveries through the Nord Stream pipeline in 2011. The laying of the second line is scheduled for 2011-12.
The contract relates only to the sole pipe-laying job, whereas negotiations with the client on shore approaches, tie-ins, rock dumping, testing and commissioning activities are still underway.
