Germany to consider N Stream 2 AG independency request in 4 mths

BERLIN, Jun 25 (PRIME) -- The German Federal Network Agency has received an application for a status of an independent gas transmission system operator from Nord Stream 2 AG, the operator of Russia’s Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline, and has four months for consideration, a representative of the regulator told PRIME on Friday.

“The Federal Network Agency has received the application from Nord Stream 2 AG,” the representative said, adding that the documents were being inspected.

It is unclear how long it would take the agency to consider the application and whether it would request additional documents. The service has four months to consider it.

“Under the certification process for which the application was submitted, the Federal Network Agency checks demands for a spin off. After that, a draft ruling should be submitted for the European Commission for comment,” the person said.

On Thursday, Nord Stream 2 AG said that it had filed an application for certification as an independent gas transmission system operator, but the application would not mean any changes to its position in ongoing litigations and arbitration proceedings.

The Nord Stream-2 project envisages construction of two lines of a natural gas pipeline with an annual capacity of up to 55 billion cubic meters, running from the Russian shore to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Russian gas giant Gazprom builds the pipeline together with Germany’s Uniper and Wintershall Dea, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV, and France’s Engie.

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